By Hamza Nuhu Dantani, Esq.
Constitutional Lawyer and Rights Activist
June 17, 2025
INTRODUCTION
Every day across Nigeria, brave police officers put their lives on the line to arrest criminals — kidnappers, robbers, rapists, and murderers. But for many of these cases, the story ends where it matters most: in the courtroom, where justice is meant to be delivered.
Far too often, these criminals walk free — not because they are innocent, but because of a deep, underreported weakness in our system: the neglected legal department of the Nigeria Police Force.
Understaffed. Underfunded. Overwhelmed. This department is expected to fight in court with virtually no weapons — no resources, no support, no structure. And the consequences are devastating: criminals go unpunished, victims lose hope, and public trust in justice crumbles.
WHY CASES ARE LOST — AND WHAT IT COSTS US
Nigeria’s police force has lost countless high-profile cases and fundamental rights suits — not because the evidence is weak, but because no one shows up to prosecute them properly.
In the 2023 Supreme Court case Abiodun v. State, the court emphasized that lawyers handling criminal cases must show diligence and commitment. Yet today, we see trials where the police have no lawyer present. In some cases, they aren’t even aware the matter is in court.
These are not technical oversights — they are justice failures. And each one erodes the little faith Nigerians have left in the system.
ONE LAWYER, HUNDREDS OF CASES: AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB
How can justice be done when one lawyer is expected to handle hundreds of criminal and civil cases? No matter how brilliant, a single prosecutor cannot deliver justice alone.
Many police lawyers are overworked and burnt out. They cannot keep up with legal filings, appearances, or even research. And when they’re absent, or unprepared, judges strike out cases or award millions in damages — often against the Police itself.
NO MOTIVATION, NO SUPPORT
Worse still, many of these legal officers are poorly paid, underappreciated, and forced to fund court expenses from their own pockets. They lack transport, filing support, even access to basic legal databases.
How can they stand against well-funded defense teams, often led by Senior Advocates, when they don’t have tools to work with? The result is a tired, disillusioned legal unit — one that has lost its motivation to fight.
A DEPARTMENT STARVED OF BUDGET AND VISION
The Police Legal Department operates on a painfully low budget. Legal battles today require well-equipped teams, digital access to law libraries, and robust research support. But these officers are often left to make do with next to nothing.
The result? Endless delays. Dismissed charges. Lost lawsuits. Billions paid in damages. Dangerous suspects released back onto our streets.
As a constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, I’ve seen the damage this causes:
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Endless adjournments that exhaust victims.
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Hardened criminals walking free due to legal gaps.
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Huge court-awarded damages draining public funds.
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A growing distrust in law enforcement and the justice system.
A CALL TO ACTION: IG, LAWMAKERS, STAKEHOLDERS
The Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission, lawmakers, and all stakeholders in the justice sector must treat this as an urgent national issue.
This isn’t just a departmental reform — it’s a matter of national security and public confidence.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE
To transform the Police Legal Department, the following must be done:
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Hire More Lawyers: Every police division and special unit should have 5–10 trained legal officers.
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Improve Welfare & Pay: Legal officers need better pay, training, promotion opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
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Increase Budget: Provide funding for court logistics, subscriptions to legal research tools, and digital case management systems.
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Ensure Presence in Court: No case should be dismissed because a prosecutor didn’t show up.
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Accountability for Rights Violations: Officers found guilty of abuse must face disciplinary or personal consequences, to protect citizens and restore trust.
CONCLUSION
Arresting a suspect is only half the job. Justice must follow — in court, through a fair trial, with a skilled prosecutor representing the law. Right now, our legal department within the police is too broken to do that job well.
We must fix it. Strengthening the legal unit of the Nigeria Police Force is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for a safer, fairer Nigeria.
The time to act is not tomorrow. It’s now.
