The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued a ruling prohibiting police officers who are not part of the Specialist Legal Cadre from acting as counsel for the Nigeria Police Force in civil litigation. This restriction applies even if the officers hold valid legal qualifications.
Justice O. Anuwe, presiding over the case brought by the Nigerian Bar Association against the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police, also mandated that a qualified police lawyer be stationed at every police precinct across Nigeria. This directive aligns with the mandates set out in the Police Act of 2020.
The legal challenge, led by the NBA’s Public Interest Litigation Committee under Olukunle Edun, SAN, centered on the practice of General Duty Officers performing legal work without being officially converted to the Force’s legal department. The court determined that such conduct violates the Rules of Professional Conduct, which restrict how salaried lawyers may represent their employers in court.
Justice Anuwe rejected a preliminary objection from the Police Service Commission regarding the NBA’s standing to sue, affirming that the association acted in the public interest. The court’s order aims to bolster legal oversight, ensure adherence to human rights standards during police operations, and improve professional accountability within the force. The NBA hailed the decision as a significant achievement in its efforts to drive institutional reform within the justice system.
