The National Industrial Court in Abuja has directed the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that qualified police lawyers are deployed to police stations across the country, while also stopping police officers outside the Specialist Legal Cadre from representing the Force in civil cases.
The ruling was delivered by Justice O. Y. Anuwe in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) against the Police Service Commission and other parties.
This judgment settles a long-standing dispute over the role of police officers who were initially recruited as General Duty Officers but later obtained law degrees and became legal practitioners without being formally transferred to the Police Force’s Specialist Legal Cadre.
According to details released by the NBA on Saturday, the court held that such officers cannot continue to perform legal duties or appear in civil proceedings on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force unless they are properly appointed or converted to the legal cadre as required by law.
The case centered on the interpretation of provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, the Nigeria Police Act 2020, and existing Police Force regulations governing legal practice within the Force.
In its argument before the court, the NBA maintained that several police officers had acquired legal qualifications and been called to the Nigerian Bar but were never officially absorbed into the Specialist Legal Cadre. Despite this, they allegedly continued to handle legal responsibilities and represent the police in court.
Before addressing the main issues in the suit, the court dismissed an objection raised by the Police Service Commission, which questioned the NBA’s right to institute the case.
Justice Anuwe held that the association had sufficient legal standing to bring the action, noting that the matter involved public interest and concerns about compliance with legal and professional standards.
The court subsequently ruled in favour of the NBA on the substantive issues. It restrained officers who have not been appointed or converted to the Specialist Legal Cadre from appearing in civil matters on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force.
The judgment further directed the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police to implement provisions of the Police Act requiring the deployment of police lawyers to police formations nationwide.
The court specifically ordered that police lawyers be posted to police stations across the country to strengthen legal supervision, improve adherence to established procedures, and enhance the protection of citizens’ rights during police operations.
The ruling is also expected to improve the quality of legal advice available at police stations and divisions, particularly in matters involving arrests, detention, investigations and other law enforcement activities that frequently raise human rights concerns.
Reacting to the judgment, the Nigerian Bar Association described the ruling as a major step towards institutional reform and stronger compliance with the rule of law.
The association said the case was not only aimed at clarifying who can legally represent the police in court but also at promoting greater legal oversight within the Force and ensuring that policing operations comply with constitutional and statutory safeguards.
The NBA added that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would be made available to the public in due course.
The association also commended its legal team led by Olukunle O. Edun (SAN), alongside Austin J. Utah, Dr Lilian Ojimma, Bulus Y. Atsen, Olajide Abiodun, Mohammed Danjuma and Vincent Adodo, for successfully prosecuting the matter.
