Police officers, alongside personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service, have been trained on rights-based approaches to criminal justice administration, in a bid to improve professionalism, accountability, and compliance with the law.
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This was at the training for police officers on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), organised by Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre (REPLACE), in partnership with Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) in Lagos.
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Convener, Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria (CJNN) and Resource Person, Nathaniel Ngwu, said the initiative was designed to address persistent gaps in how officers carry out their duties, particularly in relation to citizens’ rights.

He noted that many officers still misunderstand their role, viewing it as a position of authority rather than one rooted in public service.
‎ According to him, the training reintroduces officers to the fundamental purpose of policing and law enforcement, emphasising that their actions must be guided by the law, professionalism, and respect for human dignity.

He added that the programme also examined the root causes of misconduct and sought to correct long-standing practices that undermine justice.
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Ngwu said that participants were trained on proper procedures for issuing summons, handling complaints, and making arrests.

He stressed that officers must not act solely on the demands of complainants but should instead assess cases critically and act based on legal provisions and common sense.

He further emphasised that arrest and detention must comply strictly with the law, noting that suspects should not be detained unnecessarily or beyond stipulated timeframes. Officers, he said, were encouraged to gather sufficient evidence before making arrests to avoid weak cases and unlawful detention.
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He, however, warned that the practice of detaining suspects without adequate investigation contributes to congestion in detention facilities and weakens prosecution in court, adding that suspects can be released while investigations continue, rather than using detention as a substitute for diligent police work.
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Ngwu also highlighted systemic challenges affecting law enforcement, particularly inadequate funding. He argued that poor funding contributes to inefficiency and unethical practices, including the unofficial monetisation of bail.

He called on the government to increase budgetary allocations to the police and other agencies to improve on operations and reduce corruption.
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Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, REPLACE, Felicitas Aigbogun-Brai, said that the ACJL is a human-centred and innovative framework that has significantly shaped criminal justice administration in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State where it was first introduced.

According to her, the training is aimed at engaging law enforcement officers and other stakeholders on how to better apply its provisions in practice.
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Aigbogun-Brai explained that the workshop also serves as a platform to assess progress made under the law and identify areas that may require review.

She emphasised that laws must evolve with societal changes, noting that periodic reviews are necessary to ensure they continue to serve the interests of justice and the public.
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She added that the programme is part of a broader engagement strategy that includes dialogue with key stakeholders in the justice sector, including the judiciary and law enforcement leadership.

According to her, recommendations from such engagements may eventually be presented to the legislature as part of efforts to strengthen the legal framework.
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Coordinating Officer, RoLAC, Samson Onwusonye, highlighted the importance of partnership in driving reforms within the criminal justice system.
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He noted that the programme, supported by international partners, including the European Union (EU), focused on promoting accountability, strengthening the rule of law, and improving collaboration among justice sector institutions.

He said continued engagement with the law enforcement agencies is critical to ensuring that reforms, such as the ACJL, are effectively implemented.