Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Kogi State Command have expressed readiness to work together to promote a justice-driven society in Kogi State.

The two bodies said they have all it takes to work together for the interest of justice and crime-free society in the state.

They made their intentions known in a statement by the police public relations officer, SP William Ovye, in Lokoja yesterday.

Ovye said the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, met with the leadership of the NBA, Kogi State Branch to strengthen mutual understanding and promote a Justice-driven approach to Policing.

“During the visit, the NBA Chairman, Samuel Akoji Esq, commended CP Dantawaye’s leadership style, emphasizing the notable improvement in Police-citizen Relations since his assumption of Office,” Ovye said.

Akoji acknowledged that there are no complaints of unlawful detentions, delays in taking suspects to court, and other procedural infractions have historically strained relations between the Police and legal practitioners.

He further assured the CP of their commitment to dialogue over antagonism, emphasizing that their objective is not to create conflicts but to ensure that justice prevails.

Akoji assured that NBA Kogi will continue to support the Police in maintaining law and order while urging CP to remain steadfast in upholding constitutional principles”.

In his response, CP Dantawaye expressed deep appreciation for the legal community’s goodwill, reiterating his belief in collaborative Justice Administration.

He emphasised the need for continuous legal education for Police Officers to ensure that suspects’ rights are protected and due process is strictly followed.

The CP also reassured NBA members that he is committed to ensuring that only bailable offenses are granted bail and that no individual is unlawfully detained.

He emphasised the importance of synergy and disclosed that effective Policing is a shared responsibility. He encouraged a high level of cooperation between law enforcement, the judiciary, and civil society to create a more transparent and accountable security framework in Kogi State.

CP Dantawaye assured that his administration would maintain an open-door policy for legal practitioners and all stakeholders willing to contribute positively to security and justice reforms.