In keeping with one of his campaign promises of interfacing with Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Parastatals to seek placements for members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and for which he had set up an employment committee, otherwise called the NBA Employment Bureau; the NBA President, Y. C. Maikyau, SAN, OON paid a courtesy call on the Acting Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Hon Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi (JSC, Rtd.) today, the 21st of November, 2022
Top on the agenda of the NBA President who embarked on the visit with members of his executive committee, together with the Chairman, NBA Employment Bureau, Mr Steve Adehi, SAN was a plea for increased opportunities for lawyers interested in the officer cadre of the Nigerian Police Force and for the promotion of lawyers who are still in the ranks of inspectors, sergeants, corporals and constables, practicing in the legal departments of the force.
Hon Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi (JSC, Rtd.) who expressed her delight at the visit explained that some police staff who get engaged as recruits are not accorded recognition when they proceed to gain admissions to study law, because they do so mostly without due permission and that is the reason why the Commission discountenances their qualifications. She however promised that the Commission will try to encourage such officers, rather than discourage them.
She also used the opportunity to plead that the law which sets up the Police Service Commission should be looked at with a view to amending some parts of it, especially as relates to the ownership of liability when a police officer errs and judgement is entered against the police officer. She suggested that the erring police officer should be held personally liable, not the Commission, adding that the commission is suffering from a myriad of garnishee proceedings, as a result of this.
She also noted that dealing with such number of litigations has become tasking to the commission due to the limited funds and efforts to get them done pro bono has not yielded results.
In response to Justice Clara Ogunbiyi’s plea concerning pro bono services by lawyers to the Commission, the NBA President offered to raise a team of lawyers from the Nigerian Bar Association who would handle matters for the Commission on a pro bono basis, when the need arises.
The Acting Chairman thanked Maikyau for his kindness and offered heartfelt prayers for the success of his administration.Hon Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi (JSC, Rtd.) who expressed her delight at the visit explained that some police staff get engaged as recruits, and go ahead to gain admissions to study law without due permission, which is the reason why the Commission refuses to recognize their qualifications. She however promised that the Commission will try to encourage such officers, rather than discourage them.
She also used the opportunity to plead that the law which sets up the Police Service Commission should be looked at with a view to amending some parts of it, especially as relates to the ownership of liability when a police officer errs and judgement is entered against the police officer. She suggested that the erring police officer should be held personally liable, not the Commission, adding that the commission is suffering from a myriad of garnishee proceedings, as a result of this.
In response to Justice Clara Ogunbiyi’s plea concerning pro bono services by lawyers to the Commission, the NBA President offered to raise a team of lawyers from the Nigerian Bar Association who would handle matters for the Commission on a pro bono basis, when the need arises.
The Acting Chairman thanked Maikyau for his kindness and offered heartfelt prayers for the success of his administration.
