By Samuel Ike
Abuja

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has met with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, in Abuja to seek stronger cooperation between lawyers and the police and prevent recurring confrontations between the two professions.

Badejo-Okusanya, accompanied by members of the NBA executive committee, visited the police headquarters on Tuesday, where she discussed areas of mutual concern with the IGP.

The NBA president said improved collaboration between the legal profession and the police was essential to strengthening justice delivery and fostering better professional relationships.

She noted that lawyers and police officers have complementary roles in the justice system and should therefore work together instead of engaging in unnecessary confrontations.

According to her, both institutions have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and ensure that citizens have access to justice.

Badejo-Okusanya also disclosed that, under a UNICEF-supported initiative aimed at improving children’s access to justice, the NBA was proposing the deployment of a police lawyer to every police station.

She said the initiative would help provide appropriate legal support to children who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.

Responding, Disu congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her election as NBA president and described the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the police and the legal profession.

The IGP stressed that respect for individuals, offices and professions must remain central to interactions between lawyers and police officers.

“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 said.

He also called for greater professionalism in the recording and dissemination of encounters involving police officers, warning against the use of such incidents for social media entertainment.

According to the IGP, police officers should not be ridiculed or have their duties trivialised in the course of publicising their activities.

Disu identified improved professional engagement, reducing delays in criminal trials and establishing a dedicated communication mechanism between the Nigeria Police Force and the NBA as key areas requiring sustained collaboration.

He acknowledged that disagreements could occur between lawyers and police officers in the course of their duties but said such disputes should be resolved professionally and with civility.

The IGP expressed his willingness to work with the new NBA leadership to build a stronger and more effective relationship between both institutions.