The former Inspector General of Police and current Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase, has made a commitment to address the status of qualified lawyers serving in the Nigeria Police Force.
Specifically, Arase expressed his intention to investigate the situation of lawyers holding the ranks of Corporals, Sergeants, and Inspectors who appear in courts and address cases concerning junior police officers who have obtained additional certificates in various disciplines while in service.
He emphasized that the initiative aims to boost the officers’ self-confidence and enhance their performance.
He shared these remarks during a meeting with the leadership of the Unity Bar, the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, in Abuja. The delegation, led by Bar. Afam Okeke, Chairman of the Association, had raised concerns about lawyers who entered the Police as junior officers but had improved their qualifications. These lawyers were presently representing and defending cases for the Nigeria Police Force while still holding junior ranks.
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission informed the delegation that the Commission might opt to send the categories of police lawyers, along with other junior police officers possessing additional qualifications, for a short-term service training. Following the training, they would be appropriately positioned as officers.
The Commission Chair stressed the need for more lawyers in the Nigeria Police Force and assured the delegation that the Commission would make a decision that would benefit all parties involved.
Taking advantage of the courtesy visit, Dr. Arase also urged the Nigerian Bar Association to advise practicing lawyers against criminalizing civil matters. ” It is wrong and should be discouraged, civil matters should be treated as civil matters and arbitration should serve the parties and the society better. We should avoid time wasting in criminalising civil matters and sending them to the Police when it can be better handled outside of the Police.”
Dr. Arase emphasized the need for a strong and effective legal system in Nigeria that would encourage citizens to seek justice and redress. He emphasized the importance of apprehending and prosecuting offenders in order to restore confidence in the system.
During his meeting with visitors, Dr. Arase announced that the Commission would establish a Compliance Monitoring Unit to ensure that the Police Complaints Response Units promptly address public complaints. This new unit would directly report to him to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Dr. Arase further stated that the Commission would work towards preventing a system that neglects public complaints.
Arase also noted that the Commission’s intention to collaborate with the Nigeria Bar Association to organize training programs on human rights. These programs aimed to provide the Commission’s staff lawyers with a better understanding of their duties and responsibilities.
He assured that the Commission and its staff lawyers would actively participate in the Law Week of the Abuja branch and the national convention in Abuja, organized by the Nigeria Bar Association.
The Chairman of the Unity Bar, Bar. Okeke, had earlier congratulated Dr. Arase on his appointment as the PSC Chairman and pledged the Union’s support to him and the Commission.