IGP, NBA President Move to End Police-Lawyer Frictions

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, have agreed to strengthen collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the legal profession to reduce recurring frictions and improve justice delivery.

The agreement was reached on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, when Badejo-Okusanya and members of the NBA’s National Executive Committee paid a courtesy visit to Disu at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, the NBA President emphasised the need for closer synergy between the Police and the legal profession, particularly through specialised training for lawyers and improved engagement between Police lawyers and members of the wider Bar.

Badejo-Okusanya said, “The NBA has a responsibility to remain responsive to the needs of its members across the country,” while advocating an end to recurring clashes between lawyers and police officers.

She stressed that “both professions have complementary responsibilities within the justice system,” noting that greater cooperation and mutual understanding were necessary to prevent professional disagreements from escalating into confrontations.

The NBA President also highlighted a UNICEF-supported initiative on children’s access to justice, under which the Association is proposing the presence of a Police lawyer at every police station to provide appropriate legal support to children who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.

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She said the proposal underscored the importance of ensuring that vulnerable children are adequately supported and protected throughout the justice process.

Responding, Disu congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her emergence as NBA President and described the engagement as an opportunity to build “a stronger and more structured relationship” between the Nigeria Police Force and the legal profession.

The IGP stressed that “respect for every individual, office and profession must remain fundamental to professional interactions,” noting that while lawyers are principally concerned with protecting citizens’ rights and the Police with protecting lives and property, the responsibilities of both institutions converge in the administration of justice.

Disu also called for greater professionalism and responsibility in the recording and dissemination of encounters involving police officers.

He stressed that “personnel should not be subjected to ridicule or have the demanding circumstances of their duties trivialised for social media entertainment,” particularly when officers operate under challenging conditions while discharging their constitutional responsibilities to protect lives and property.

As part of efforts to 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 and open communication as key areas requiring sustained collaboration.

He said the mechanism would provide “a structured channel 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 arise in the course of their respective duties.

He, however, stressed that such differences “must be managed professionally, respectfully and with civility,” while expressing his readiness to work with the new NBA leadership towards a stronger and more productive partnership.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the NBA and other justice-sector stakeholders to protect fundamental rights, improve access to justice, promote professionalism and build a more effective, responsive and trusted criminal justice system.