Police Lawyers Must Add Value, Not Wear Uniforms for Decoration – IGP

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has charged newly called police lawyers to justify their dual roles as officers and legal practitioners by strengthening prosecutions and upholding integrity within the force.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday at a ceremony to celebrate 98 police officers who successfully completed the Nigerian Law School program and were called to the bar, the IGP declared:

“The Nigerian Police Force does not need lawyers in uniform for decoration. We need officers who add value.”

He emphasized that policing is not only about courage in the field but also about competence in the courtroom.

The police boss stressed that mediocrity will not be tolerated in the Directorate of Legal Services, which has recently been upgraded to the status of a directorate under an Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

Egbetokun urged the new lawyers to be role models, ensure watertight prosecutions, and advise commanders with authority and clarity.

“Your call to the bar has doubled your responsibility. You are now accountable to the force, to the legal profession, and to the Nigerian people,” he said.

On behalf of the new police lawyers, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sanwo Bamise expressed appreciation to the IGP for securing accreditation that allowed cadets of the Nigerian Police Academy to attend the law school.

“Despite resuming at the law school as late as the 11th week, the Police Academy proudly produced a first-class graduate in DSP Laraba Enemona Idachaba of Regular Course 2, alongside several others with second-class degrees,” Bamise noted.

He described the development as “monumental,” attributing the success to the discipline instilled in the academy.

Also speaking, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Directorate of Legal Services, Emmanuel Adegbola Ayina, commended the IGP for achieving the landmark approval. He encouraged the newly called lawyers to remain committed to legal practice within the force.

“All Nigerians are your clients. You don’t need to source for clients—the police station gives them to you,” Ayina told the officers, urging them to aspire to appear before superior courts, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The event ended with a group photograph and renewed commitments to strengthen the Nigerian Police Force through professionalism, legal expertise, and integrity.