FG Unveils NHRC-NPF Liaison Framework To Strengthen Human Rights, Policing

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has declared that effective policing and the protection of human rights must go hand in hand, as he inaugurated a joint implementation and liaison framework between the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) aimed at strengthening accountability and improving public confidence in law enforcement.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Fagbemi described the NHRC-NPF Joint Implementation and Liaison Framework as a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing criminal justice reforms, stressing that every Nigerian deserves to feel safe, protected and respected in every encounter with security agencies.

The Attorney-General said that although Nigeria has enacted key legislations, including the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Anti-Torture Act and the Nigeria Police Act, the real challenge lies in translating those laws into daily practice.

According to him, respect for human rights is not incompatible with effective policing but rather strengthens the rule of law, enhances professionalism and builds public trust in the nation’s justice system.

Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), described the framework as the beginning of a new phase of institutional cooperation between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.

He said the initiative was the outcome of sustained engagements between both institutions and would replace isolated interventions with a structured and coordinated mechanism for addressing human rights concerns.

Ojukwu explained that the framework provides for joint detention facility inspections, prompt resolution of complaints, regular human rights training for police personnel, information sharing and coordinated responses to human rights issues across the country.

Representing the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department said the initiative reflects the commitment of the Police leadership to professionalism, transparency, integrity and respect for fundamental human rights.

He disclosed that liaison officers have already been designated at the Force Headquarters, zonal commands and state commands to drive the effective implementation of the framework nationwide.

Stakeholders, including representatives of the Police Service Commission, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee and civil society organisations, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant shift from confrontation to collaboration in promoting justice and accountability.

They, however, urged both institutions to ensure that the reforms translate into measurable improvements at police stations, detention facilities and in everyday interactions between police officers and members of the public.

Participants at the event agreed that the success of the framework would ultimately be measured not by the document itself but by its impact in reducing human rights violations, strengthening police accountability, improving police-public relations and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.