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Police Lawyers Demand Conversion to Specialist Legal Cadre, Cite Legal Requirement,

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According to the association, several police officers recruited as General Duty Officers later obtained law degrees and were called to the Nigerian Bar but were never formally converted to the Specialist Legal Cadre as required by law. 

Despite this, they allegedly continued to provide legal services and represent the Nigeria Police in civil cases.

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

Among the reliefs sought were orders compelling the conversion of qualified police lawyers currently performing legal duties into the Specialist Legal Cadre and directing the deployment of police lawyers to every police division in line with Section 66(3) of the Police Act 2020. 

Before addressing the substantive issues, the court dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the Police Service Commission, which challenged the competence of the suit and questioned the legal standing of the Nigerian Bar Association to institute the action. 

Justice Anuwe held that the NBA had the requisite locus standi, adopting what the court described as a liberal approach to public interest litigation.  

The judge ruled that the suit was brought to protect the interests of legal practitioners and ensure compliance with statutory and professional obligations.

On the substantive issues, the court found that legally qualified police officers who had not been appointed or converted to the Specialist Legal Cadre could not lawfully represent the Nigeria Police in civil proceedings.

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

Justice Anuwe also ordered the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police to implement Section 66(3) of the Police Act by deploying police lawyers to police stations across the country.

According to the judgment, the deployment is intended to strengthen legal oversight within the Force and improve the protection of human rights during arrests, detention, investigations and other policing activities.

The court's decision is expected to advance the professionalisation of legal practice within the Nigeria Police Force while ensuring greater compliance with constitutional safeguards and due process.

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