Deploy police lawyers to every station, court orders PSC, IGP

…Bars non-legal officers from representing NPF 

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The National Industrial Court (NIC), Abuja, has barred police officers who are not members of the Nigeria Police Force’s Specialist Legal Cadre from representing the Force in civil proceedings, while ordering the deployment of at least one police lawyer to every police station across the country.

The landmark judgment, delivered on Friday by Justice O. Y. Anuwe in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/264/2025, also directed the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to implement the provisions of the Police Act by ensuring the presence of qualified legal officers in police formations nationwide to strengthen legal oversight and safeguard citizens’ rights.

The suit was instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and prosecuted by the NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) Public Interest Litigation Committee, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olukunle O. Edun.

The NBA had asked the court to interpret Rule 8(1) and (2) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, Section 18(9) and (11), as well as Section 66(3) of the Police Act 2020 and Force Order 137(3) of the Ratified Police Force Order 2013.

According to the association, several police officers recruited as General Duty Officers later acquired law degrees and were called to the Nigerian Bar but were never formally converted into the Police Specialist Legal Cadre as required by law. Despite this, they allegedly continued to render legal services and represent the Nigeria Police Force in civil litigation.

The NBA argued that the practice contravenes Rule 8 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, which limits lawyers in salaried employment from appearing in court for their employers unless they are employed as legal officers within the relevant government department or agency.

Before determining the substantive issues, the court dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the Police Service Commission challenging the competence of the suit and the legal standing of the NBA to institute the action.

Justice Anuwe held that the NBA possessed the requisite locus standi, adopting what he described as a liberal approach to public interest litigation. He ruled that the suit was aimed at protecting the integrity of the legal profession and ensuring compliance with statutory and professional obligations.

On the substantive issues, the court declared that police officers who are qualified lawyers but have not been appointed or converted to the Specialist Legal Cadre cannot lawfully represent the Nigeria Police Force in civil proceedings.

The court consequently restrained such officers from appearing in court on behalf of the Force until they are duly appointed or converted into the appropriate legal cadre in accordance with the law.

Justice Anuwe further ordered the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police to fully implement Section 66(3) of the Police Act 2020 by deploying at least one police lawyer to every police station across the federation.

According to the court, the deployment is intended to strengthen legal supervision of policing activities, ensure greater compliance with constitutional safeguards and improve the protection of human rights during arrests, detention, investigations and other law enforcement operations.

Legal analysts say the ruling is expected to professionalise legal practice within the Nigeria Police Force, enhance adherence to due process and reinforce accountability in the administration of criminal justice.

The judgment is also expected to improve access to legal guidance at the grassroots level of policing, ensuring that police actions are more closely aligned with the provisions of the Constitution, the Police Act and established rules of professional conduct.