NBA President, Maikyau At UNODC/OHCHR Meeting
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yakubu C. Maikyau, OON, SAN was a guest at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNODC/OHCHR) joint project meeting on “Strengthening the Oversight and Accountability Mechanisms of the Nigerian Police Force in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.”
At the meeting which was held at the United Nations office in Abuja, Mrs Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, the Country Director, Avocats Sans Frontieres, France (Lawyers Without Borders) commended the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Police Force in improving respect for human rights in Nigeria. She further shed more light on why a Police-CSO situation room was created. She stated that the situation room was instituted in 2021 after the #EndSARS protests, to collaborate with the Police on improving respect for human rights in Nigeria.
Mr Matthias Schmale, UN Resident coordinator emphasized that the project was birthed to strengthen peace and to work with the government in order to provide better services to citizens. He further stated that institutions like the police and civil society are needed in this regard.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC, who is also a part of the project, shared that the situation room has had periodic meetings to strengthen the partnership of the police force with the civil society organisations in order to ensure accountability of human rights violations in the Nigerian Police Force. He commended the Nigerian Police Force for the disciplinary measures put in place and encouraged them to do more.
In his remarks, the NBA President expressed his delight on the invitation to the NBA to be part of the meeting and discussion. He emphasized that the NBA was set up for the promotion of the rule of law, and it is the responsibility of lawyers to see that justice is being dispensed appropriately. He commended the collaboration with the police force, stressing on the importance of the Constitution and stating that the welfare and security of the citizens should be the primary purpose of government.
Maikyau also addressed the challenges faced by police agents and the risk to their jobs. He mentioned the recent kidnap of a former NBA President, Okey Wali, SAN; stating that two of Mr Okey Wali’s policemen were shot at and are currently receiving treatment in the hospital where he visited them on Monday.
Maikyau suggested that a pressure group that will remind the government of their responsibilities to the Nigerian Police Force and civil society should be constituted, stating that it was important to also focus attention on the welfare of the Nigerian Police officers because they are also human beings with families. He said he believes this can encourage them to be more active and efficient. He also encouraged that methods should be created in which people can live out their basic responsibilities to relieve the police officers.
At the close of discussion, it was stated that in the last six months, work has been done with the police in the area of trainings of the police officers; on how they can properly interrogate suspects and effect arrest, safety programs, etc. It was also emphasised that the police can only get the support of the public if they respect human rights.
