A renewed push to strengthen policing standards and safeguard citizens’ rights took center stage in Lagos on Tuesday as stakeholders concluded a high-level training on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), which began on March 25.
The multi-day capacity-building programme, anchored by the Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre and supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, was funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Held in Lagos, the training brought together police officers, legal practitioners, and justice sector actors to examine how the ACJL is applied in real-life situations and to promote a more humane, transparent, and accountable criminal justice system in Lagos State.
Participants included representatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, and other law enforcement agencies, alongside human rights lawyers—reflecting a broad, multi-sectoral commitment to justice reform.
In her opening remarks, Executive Director of REPLACE, Felicitas Aigbogun-Brai, described the ACJL as a transformative law that has reshaped criminal justice administration in Lagos since its enactment in 2015 and influenced the federal Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
As the law approaches its tenth anniversary, she called for reflection and continuous improvement.
“Law is made for man, not man for law,” she said, stressing the need for periodic review to ensure laws remain effective and responsive to societal needs.
A major highlight of the training was a presentation by legal practitioner and justice reform advocate Nathaniel Ngwu, who challenged officers to rethink their approach to policing.
Speaking on “Streamlining Police Operations Under the ACJL of Lagos State,” Ngwu emphasized that the police uniform must symbolize justice, not intimidation.
“The uniform is not to intimidate; it is to do justice,” he said.
In an interview with First Daily, Ngwu noted that the training focused on reshaping both mindset and operational conduct, addressing deep-rooted misconceptions about policing.
“We started with the basics—what it means to be a police officer. It is about responsibility, accountability, and how the public perceives you,” he explained.
Central to the discussions was the proper use of summons, arrest, and detention procedures. Participants were encouraged to prioritize investigation before arrest and to avoid unnecessary detention of suspects.
“You don’t just act on the complainant’s words. Your duty is to act based on the law and your professional judgment,” Ngwu stated.
He criticized the long-standing practice of prematurely detaining suspects, noting that it contributes to congestion in courts and correctional centres while exposing officers to legal consequences.
“The law is clear—if you detain someone without proper justification, you may end up paying damages,” he warned.
Interactive sessions revealed a persistent gap between the legal framework and operational realities. Police officers shared field experiences, highlighting challenges such as non-compliant suspects, pressure from superiors, and logistical constraints.
READ ALSO:Â ACJL Sensitisation Hits Ipodo Market, Traders Speak Out On Rights Abuse
One officer noted that modern policing now emphasizes due process, including issuing formal invitations before arrest and complying with the 24-hour detention rule before arraignment. However, he acknowledged that practical challenges often complicate full compliance.
Addressing the issue of force, CSP Akinwumi Oke of the Ikeja Division emphasized that while brutality is unacceptable, minimal force may sometimes be necessary in high-risk situations.
“Most suspects respond to force, and for officers to remain safe, minimal force may be necessary,” he said, stressing that such force must always be proportionate and justified.
Beyond operational procedures, the training also highlighted systemic challenges, particularly inadequate funding of the police. Ngwu pointed out that many police operations remain manual despite the demands of modern policing.
“We are in a digital age, yet many operations are still manual. Without adequate funding, officers are limited in what they can do,” he said.
He further linked poor funding to unethical practices such as illegal bail demands, despite the official position that bail is free, recounting instances where officers personally fund operational needs.
Participants agreed that rebuilding public trust must remain central to reform efforts, emphasizing that effective policing goes beyond enforcement to include fairness, restraint, and respect for human rights.
As Lagos approaches a decade since the introduction of the ACJL, stakeholders stressed that sustained training, institutional accountability, and political will are essential to bridging the gap between policy and practice.
For many attendees, the training marked not just the end of a programme, but a critical moment of reflection on the true purpose of law enforcement in a democratic society—one rooted not in intimidation, but in justice, accountability, and service.
