By Saminu Ibrahim
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi, on Wednesday led the launch of a new policing pact, saying it must end rights abuses at the point of contact.
According to the Attorney General, every Nigerian deserves to feel safe when they meet law enforcement, pointing out that it will only happen when human rights stop being words on paper and become daily practice.
Fagbemi spoke at the formal inauguration of the NHRC-NPF Joint Liaison Framework in Abuja.
He called it a major milestone in Nigeria’s criminal justice reform, adding that laws alone are not enough, even as the noted that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Anti-Torture Act, and Police Act only matter if they are enforced.
“Effective policing and human rights are not enemies,” he said. “They strengthen the rule of law, build public trust, and deliver justice.”
Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN said the Framework opens a new chapter.
He said it replaces ad-hoc interventions with a structured system of collaboration between the Commission and the Police.
Under it, both institutions will conduct joint detention visits, fast-track complaints, run regular human rights training, share information, and coordinate actions nationwide.
Meanwhile the Police backed the framework.
Representing the IGP, AIG Ihebom Chukwuma of the FCID said liaison officers have already been appointed at Force HQ, zonal and state commands to drive implementation.
Stakeholders from the Police Service Commission, Legal Aid Council, Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee and civil society organizations welcomed the move.
They called it a shift from confrontation to partnership. Their charge: make the reforms real in stations, detention centres, and in every officer-citizen encounter.
The test, participants agreed, will not be the document. It will be the lives changed.
If implemented, the Framework is expected to reduce violations, improve police-public relations, deepen accountability, and restore confidence in the justice system.q