The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, have agreed to strengthen collaboration between the Police and the legal profession to reduce professional frictions and improve justice delivery in Nigeria.
The agreement was reached on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, when the NBA President and members of the Association’s National Executive Committee paid a courtesy visit to the IGP at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to an official statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the meeting focused on the need for stronger professional collaboration, improved communication and greater mutual respect between lawyers and Police officers in advancing justice and public safety.
Speaking during the visit, Badejo-Okusanya called for closer synergy between the Nigeria Police Force and the legal profession, particularly through specialised training for lawyers and improved engagement between Police lawyers and members of the wider Bar.
She stressed that both lawyers and Police officers have complementary responsibilities within the justice system, calling for an end to recurring clashes between members of the two professions.
The NBA President also highlighted a UNICEF-supported initiative on children’s access to justice, under which the Association is proposing that a Police lawyer be available at every Police station to provide appropriate legal support to children who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.
She said the proposal was aimed at ensuring that vulnerable children receive adequate support and protection throughout the justice process.
Responding, IGP Disu congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her emergence as NBA President and described the engagement as an opportunity to establish a stronger and more structured relationship between the Police and the legal profession.
The IGP emphasised that respect for individuals, offices and professions must remain fundamental to professional interactions, noting that while lawyers are primarily concerned with protecting citizens’ rights and the Police with protecting lives and property, the responsibilities of both institutions ultimately converge in the administration of justice.
Disu also called for greater professionalism in the recording and dissemination of encounters involving Police officers. He cautioned against subjecting personnel to ridicule or trivialising the difficult circumstances under which officers discharge their constitutional responsibilities, particularly through social media content intended for entertainment.
To further strengthen institutional cooperation, the IGP identified improved professional engagement, measures to reduce delays in criminal trials and the establishment of a dedicated NPF/NBA mechanism for seamless communication as key areas requiring sustained collaboration.
He said such a mechanism would provide a structured platform for addressing professional concerns, improving coordination and resolving issues before they escalate into unnecessary confrontations.
The IGP reaffirmed that the Police and the legal profession are partners in the pursuit of justice, acknowledging that disagreements may occur in the course of their respective duties but insisting that such differences must be managed with professionalism, civility and mutual respect.
He expressed his readiness to work with the new NBA leadership to build a stronger partnership focused on protecting fundamental rights, improving access to justice, promoting professionalism and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
