POLICE, LAWYERS SYNERGIZE TO STRENGTHEN ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT
OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
As part of efforts to strengthen the administration of the Criminal Justice Act in Nigeria, Nigeria Bar Association, Warri has called for synergy between the Police and Bar.
This call was made by Michael Asugo, chairman,Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Warri during a courtesy call by the executive members of the Bar on ACP Mohammed Garba, Area Commander, Warri Area Command,, he said that there is the urgent need for the police and lawyers to work together to succeed.
Mr. Asugo told Journalists that they had to pay the new Area Commander in charge of Warri a courtesy visit because the NBA believed that the police has a major role to play in the administration of the criminal Justice system.
According to Mr. Asugo, “there are issues in the administration of criminal Justice in Delta State. If you look at that law, there is a lot of work placed on the shoulders of the police. Some of us have discussed the matter at the level of the Commissioner of police. There are issues of funding involved because there is lack of funding from the government.”
He added, “there are times that the police see lawyers as threat. This should not be the case because lawyers are not threats. When they come to the police station the police should welcome them as partners in progress.”
The chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Warri said that the meeting with the Warri Area Commander was a sign that they were ready to synergise to carry out the administration of criminal Justice in Delta state adding that the next meeting would be an elaborate one where they would have to sit down with all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs)in the Command.
Mr. Asiago spoke further, “this is just a first step. The next step is going to be more elaborate than this. All the DPOs in this Command will be involved in the next visit. Then we are going to go into the nitty gritty of what we are supposed to do to enhance our synergy to better the administration of Criminal Justice in Delta State.”
In an interview, ACP Garba Mohammed, Area Commander, Warri Police Area Command harped on the imperativeness of the need for lawyers in the country to work together with the Police with a view to succeed.
According to ACP Garba, “I have also let them (lawyers) know that the police under the administration of the present Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Idris, will not condone any form of human rights voilation. I have said it before and I am repeating it again.”
The Area Commander spoke further, “I believe the Police and lawyers must work in harmony as a team. Without the lawyers the Police will not succeed, so also without the Police the lawyers will not succeed. This was the essence of this meeting, we met to harmonize in the interest of the people who we serve and ensure that justice is done.”
END
