By George Ozalla
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has called for greater commitment to the protection of human rights within Nigeria’s law enforcement system, saying the safety, dignity and rights of every Nigerian must remain central to policing and the administration of justice.
Fagbemi made the call in Abuja during the inauguration of the National Human Rights Commission–Nigeria Police Force (NHRC–NPF) Joint Implementation and Liaison Framework, a new initiative designed to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions in promoting accountability, professionalism and respect for fundamental human rights.
Speaking at the event, the Attorney-General described the framework as another milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing criminal justice reforms, noting that meaningful change can only be achieved through sustained collaboration among institutions with constitutional responsibilities in the justice sector.
He said Nigeria has made significant progress in strengthening its legal framework through the enactment of key legislations, including the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the Anti-Torture Act and the Nigeria Police Act. However, he stressed that the value of those laws would ultimately be determined by how faithfully they are implemented by institutions responsible for enforcing them.
According to him, effective policing and the protection of human rights are not mutually exclusive but complementary objectives that reinforce the rule of law, improve public confidence in security agencies and contribute to a more effective justice system.
Fagbemi maintained that when citizens are treated fairly and their rights are respected, trust in law enforcement grows, making it easier for security agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), described the framework as the beginning of a new phase in the relationship between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
He said the initiative was the outcome of years of engagement and dialogue between both institutions and was developed to provide a permanent platform for cooperation rather than relying on ad hoc interventions whenever human rights concerns arise.
Ojukwu explained that the framework establishes clear channels for collaboration in addressing complaints against police personnel, monitoring compliance with human rights standards and improving institutional accountability.
He said both organisations would undertake joint visits to police detention facilities, work together on the prompt resolution of complaints, organise regular human rights training for police officers, strengthen information sharing and coordinate interventions across the country.
According to him, the arrangement will also encourage continuous engagement between the Commission and the Police at national, zonal and state levels, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly while promoting transparency in policing.
Representing the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to professionalism, transparency, integrity and the protection of human rights.
He said the Police leadership considers the partnership an important step towards deepening accountability within the Force and improving public trust.
The DIG disclosed that liaison officers have already been appointed at the Force Headquarters as well as across zonal and state commands to coordinate implementation of the framework and maintain regular communication with the National Human Rights Commission.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen internal reforms within the Police while creating more effective channels for addressing complaints from members of the public.
The inauguration attracted representatives of the Police Service Commission, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, development partners and civil society organisations, all of whom welcomed the initiative.
Many of the stakeholders described the framework as a significant departure from the traditional relationship between the Police and the National Human Rights Commission, saying it reflects a deliberate shift from institutional confrontation to practical collaboration in addressing human rights concerns.
They urged both organisations to ensure that the framework produces measurable improvements where they matter most—at police stations, detention facilities and in everyday encounters between police officers and members of the public.
Participants agreed that the success of the initiative would not be measured by the signing of the framework alone but by its impact on the lives of Nigerians.
They expressed optimism that effective implementation would reduce incidents of human rights violations, strengthen accountability within the Police, improve public confidence in law enforcement agencies and contribute to a justice system that is fair, transparent and accessible to all Nigerians.
