The Nigerian Bar Association says it will take necessary action to check the alleged extortions of citizens by some police personnel in Enugu, which infringe on their fundamental human rights.
The NBA said this on Tuesday during the opening of the NBA Enugu Branch 2024 Law Week.
The lawyers were reacting to a lecture by a human rights lawyer, Daniel Ogbe, titled ‘Commercialisation of Policing in Enugu State: Implications on Human Rights’.
The NBA chair in Enugu, Venatus Odo, noted that the extortions took place at their various police offices when residents sought their services.
Mr Odo said that the negative actions of some police officers should be checked, and the fundamental human rights of residents should be restored.
The chairman also said that the development infringed on the activities of lawyers and the general judicial process in the state.
Mr Odo lamented the high charges by police personnel when matters were reported to their offices within Enugu.
Mr Ogbe, in his presentation, said the commercialisation of policing in Enugu had led to infringement on the fundamental human rights of residents, who sometimes paid exorbitantly to get police services.
“The commercialisation of the Nigeria Police Force in Enugu state represents a significant threat to societal stability and poses a detrimental impact on the welfare of the police themselves. It is imperative that legal professionals collaborate to initiate public interest suits.
“These suits should aim to persuade the judiciary, through compelling legal arguments, to adopt a proactive stance in interpreting pertinent laws.
“This approach should ensure that police officers are neither permitted nor incentivised to act as agents of injustice and regression within the criminal justice system,” said Mr Ogbe.
Mr Ogbe noted that notwithstanding the difficulties and inadequacies in police operations, the police should work with some levels of dedication and commitment to serve the public.
(NAN)
