Nigerian Court Limits Police Lawyers to Prosecution and Orders Legal Officers in Every Division

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja ruled July 11 that lawyers serving in the Nigeria Police Force but not appointed or upgraded as legal officers may only prosecute criminal cases. Judge Olufunke Anuwe stated that such officers breach Rule 8(1) and (2) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, when they perform other legal functions for the force.

The court ordered the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General to deploy at least one qualified legal practitioner to every police division to assist with human rights enforcement.

It also directed all serving police officers who are lawyers but not upgraded to stop posing as legal officers or carrying out related duties beyond prosecution. The Nigerian Bar Association filed the suit in September 2025. Its lawyer, Olukunle Edun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had sought upgrades to the rank of Superintendent of Police for affected officers and their deployment across divisions.

The Police Service Commission argued that officers who became lawyers while in service were appointed as General Duty Officers, not legal officers, and that some had not obtained permission for further education or followed due process. The police force and Inspector-General added that promotion depends on available vacancies.

Judge Anuwe ruled that the court lacked power to order promotions for officers who did not follow public service rules.

She restrained non-upgraded officers from performing legal officer functions. AllAfrica reported the judgment details from Premium Times.