THE NIGERIA POLICE & NIGERIAN LAWYERS: FRIENDS OR FOES?

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It is an open secret that the relationship between the Nigeria Police and Legal Practitioners is marred with hostilities. Sometime in June, 2018,  it was reported that a Legal Practitioner in Warri, Delta State, was beaten to a pulp in the course rendering his legal services, by members of the Nigeria Police attached to A' Division, Warri. A video of the incident can be found at https://twitter.com/jarule147/status/1006179461472178176?lang=en  Shortly after, the news of Police brutality meted on a Legal Practitioner and on the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, rocked the internet.


These reports are just a few of the many unpalatable experiences of Legal Practitioners' interface with some members of the Nigeria Police, which gave rise to the long overdue peaceful discourse between the Police and Lawyers, held on 28th November, 2018, in Asaba, Delta State; Tagged 'COLLOQUIUM: TOWARDS BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE SYNERGY BETWEEN THE NIGERIA POLICE AND LEGAL PRACTITIONERS. The synopsis of the colloquium can be viewed at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qBLfcD6tdB2Nfs5ZZo7eYakCNmp_pgcD/view?usp=sharing 



The Colloquium was well attended by Superior Police Officers of the Nigeria Police, Delta State Command and Senior as well as Young Legal Practitioners of the Nigerian Bar Association, Asaba Branch, and, was moderated by the Director-General of the Delta State Multi-Door CourtHouse.
Mrs. Julia Utulu (Director-General, Delta State Multi-Door CourtHouse)



Mr. Dennis Nwanokwai, Esq. (Principal Partner, Nwanokwai & Co)



 
The welcome address was delivered by A. S. Eshibogwu, Esq., who reiterated the primary duties of the Nigeria Police and urged parties to delve into the discussions with the purpose of proffering solutions to the existing problems and not otherwise. 



Speaking on the side of the Legal Practitioners, Mr. Dennis Nwanokwai, Esq. recounted scenarios of mild hostilities he had experienced with the Police, which were subsequently corrected. He stressed the need for a change in the right direction considering that both parties are necessary for the thriving of the rule of law. He further made recommendations as to necessities for a successful synergy between the parties. 

Also, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Asaba Branch, Eiyuche Stella, Esq. noted that the hostilities between the parties would best be resolved without trading of blames.


CSP Akande (D.P.O. B' Division, Asaba, Delta State)
During the discourse, the Police stated that their grouse with some Legal Practitioners, is the pompous and arrogant mannerism with which they come to the Police station to dish out orders in respect of their clients, without prior attempt at understanding the issues for investigation. They emphasized that some Legal Practitioners do not know the difference between a Police Station and a Court of Law. They stated that the Police are humans just like others and that the reciprocity of respect, applied to dealings with them also. However, after admitting that nothing could justify physical assault by the Police on a Legal Practitioner who has been engaged to render legal services, they stated that most assaults are perpetrated by Subordinates who lack proper training on temper management and interfacing with Lawyers.
Mrs. Ugbe Pat (2nd-in-Command, Area Command, Delta State)
Awele Ideal, Esq. (Principal, Ideal Chambers)
In response to the Police, Awele Ideal, Esq. stated that while she is aware that some Learned Colleagues complain about the hostilities, she had never experienced such. She buttressed the point that manner of approach largely determines the respect that would be accorded anyone, Legal Practitioners inclusive. Mrs. Ugbe Pat, corroborated this and commended Awele Ideal, Esq., for her mode of conduct at the Police Station.
Aso, O. Eguavoen, Esq. opined that commendation of Policemen who politely and cooperatively interface with Legal Practitioners, by the Nigerian Bar Association, would go a long way in fostering a sustainable synergy between the parties.
After the peaceful and stimulating deliberations, the following recommendations were made:
  1. A Legal Practitioner retained to render legal services at the Police Station, should be courteous and first seek to see the Superior Officer in that Station before discussing the case with the Junior Officers.
  2. The Police should organize regular trainings for the Junior Officers on how to interface with Legal Practitioners.
  3. Nigerian Bar Association should publicly commend Police Officers who are consistent in respectfully and cooperatively interfacing with Legal Practitioners, to encourage others.
  4. Where a Legal Practitioner perceives any hostility in spite of his/her courteousness, he/she should not engage in exchange of words with the offending Police Officer, but rather make a complaint to the Superior Officer, which could be in writing or orally to save time and preserve possible relationship. 
  5. The Police should not assault Legal Practitioners, instead they should report any Legal Practitioner who has misconducted him/herself to the NBA Branch, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, for appropriate actions.
Both parties thereafter agreed to relay the recommendations to their respective institutions for possible implementation. The Police Officers also exchanged contact details with the Legal Practitioners and promised to be of assistance whenever called upon in the event of any hostility experienced.

 The high point of the Colloquium was a Police Officer, who admitted that he was not favourably inclined towards Legal Practitioners, but that the event had changed his mindset as he now looked forward to having a better interface with Legal Practitioners.

THE COLLOQUIUM WAS SPONSORED BY HON. FESTUS AGAS (SECRETARY TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT) AND TINA ATIGOGO, ESQ. (CEO, EXQUISITE GIFTS & SURPRISES)

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