“Statutory Breach Alleged” — Court Reserves Judgment In NBA Suit Seeking Upgrade Of Police Lawyers To Specialist Cadre

Hon. Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, has reserved judgment in a suit filed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) seeking the immediate upgrade and conversion of qualified legal practitioners in the Nigeria Police Force to the specialist legal cadre.

The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/264/2025, is between the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association as claimant and the Police Service Commission and five others as defendants.

The NBA is challenging what it describes as a prolonged and unjust delay in the conversion of police officers who are qualified legal practitioners from general duty roles to the specialist legal cadre.

According to the association, some officers joined the Force as lawyers, while others acquired legal qualifications with official approval during service. It argued that under Section 18(9) and (11) of the Nigeria Police Force (Establishment) Act, 2020, and Force Order 137, such officers are entitled to automatic conversion and corresponding promotion.

Despite this, many police lawyers reportedly remain in junior ranks such as Corporal, Sergeant, and Inspector, even while performing legal duties including prosecution and defence of cases on behalf of the Force.

The NBA contends that this treatment contrasts sharply with that of other professionals such as doctors and engineers, who are converted to specialist cadre upon qualification. It described the situation as a violation of statutory provisions and an affront to the legal profession.

The suit seeks, among other reliefs, an order compelling the defendants to upgrade all qualified police lawyers to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) and place them on the specialist cadre.

At the hearing, Olukunle O. Edun, SAN, leading a team of lawyers, appeared for the NBA and adopted all originating processes in support of the suit.

The claimant also filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of processes filed by counsel representing the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force, arguing that such counsel were not properly authorised to act on behalf of the institutions.

Counsel to the Police Service Commission, Mr. Okoro Nnachi, raised a counter preliminary objection contesting the competence of the suit and adopted his processes in opposition.

Representing the Nigeria Police Force, Rimamsomte Ezekiel, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, adopted the defence’s submissions opposing the claims.

Also, Abubakar Nuhu, Chief State Counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice, appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation and urged the court to interpret the relevant statutory provisions equitably. He noted that other professionals within the Force are routinely converted to specialist cadre upon acquiring the necessary qualifications.

Proceedings lasted over two hours, with all parties presenting detailed legal arguments.

After hearing the submissions, Justice Anuwe reserved judgment to a date to be communicated to the parties.

The case is being closely monitored, as its outcome is expected to have significant implications for statutory compliance, career progression, and the status of legal professionals within the Nigeria Police Force.