Human Rights Day: Experts Want Police Duty Solicitors Scheme Repositioned

*IGP, Arase, Fagbemi advocate increased access to justice 

*HURIWA calls for rule of law 

Chuks Okocha and Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Experts, weekend, at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, have asked for the repositioning of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) to enable Nigerians everywhere in the country access justice.

They also called for renewed understanding among police officers on how the PDSS has supported the Police Force from investigation to court appearance.
Among those who spoke at the event were a former Inspector General of Police and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Director General, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu Abubakar; Project Manager, Criminal Justice Reform, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC Phase II) Programme, Dr. Oluwatoyin Badejogbin, among others.

The event which marked the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2023, was organised by the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC II)  of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in collaboration with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).

In his opening remarks, Abubakar highlighted the benefits of the scheme to include fostering community policing and strengthening service delivery by the Police, increase protection and promotion of the legal and human rights of suspects and detainees.
Heb also cited the benefits to include improve accountability and transparency in the Police Force, promoting access to justice for the poor, vulnerable and marginalised persons; improve the quality of legal assistance and justice delivery in Nigeria and increase Nigeria’s compliance with her international human rights obligations.

Arase, who delivered the keynote address, noted that the introduction of the PDSS, in response to the imperative outlined in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), was a watershed moment in our commitment to safeguarding the rights of individuals in police custody.
According to the Police Service Commission boss, the gains achieved through the PDSS had been transformative, not only in principle but in tangible, life-changing ways.

He however, called for a more comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses systemic issues within the country’s criminal justice system.
Fagbemi, who was represented by Gladys Odigbaro, Director of Solicitor Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, pointed out that the enforcement of Force Order 20 and other relevant provisions of Administration and Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) were commendable milestones in the concerted efforts to address the crisis of arbitrary, irrational and interminable pretrial (awaiting trial) detentions in the country.

He noted that the scheme also came with the advantage of preventing undue congestion of inmates in correctional facilities with the consequential benefit of saving government the resources required to maintain a large population of inmates or detainees.
The IG, Egbetokun, also represented by AIG Shehu Gwarzo, said the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme as captured by Force Order 20, aimed to contribute to the realisation of the ongoing reform programme of his administration.

He said: “Force Order 20 addresses ‘free legal services for arrested and/or detained persons in police formations’ and institutes the PDSS as a country-wide mechanism for its delivery. It expands the provision of legal services in police stations by ensuring prompt access to Duty Solicitors for suspects. It implements the constitutional promise of access to counsel in police stations in Nigeria.”

Speaking on what informed the event, Badejogbin, said it was aimed at establishing renewed commitment of the IGP to grant duty solicitors access to police detention centres as well as initiate renewed understanding among Police on how the PDSS supports the Police Force from investigation to court appearance.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has emphasised some of the pressing issues that underscored the urgent need for a renewed commitment to the rule of law.

it argued that the rule of law was the cornerstone upon which any thriving democracy was built, safeguarding against arbitrary governance and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens.
“It is disheartening to observe instances where this fundamental principle is flouted, thereby undermining the very essence of our democratic institutions,” it said, adding the rule of law, as a cornerstone of democracy, demanded that the decisions of the judiciary be respected and adhered to by all, regardless of their position or power.