The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has called on legal officers within the Nigeria Police Force to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties, particularly in defending the Force against legal challenges and public scrutiny.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 National Conference of Police Legal Officers held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the IGP emphasized the critical role police lawyers play in safeguarding the reputation and operational legitimacy of the Force. He urged them to be proactive, diligent, and ethically grounded in their legal representations, especially in cases involving human rights, police conduct, and institutional accountability.
“The image of the Nigeria Police Force is often shaped not just by our actions on the streets, but by how we defend those actions in court,” Egbetokun stated. “Our legal officers must be the embodiment of professionalism, integrity, and excellence. You are the shield behind the badge.”
The conference, themed “Strengthening Legal Capacity for Effective Policing,” brought together over 200 legal officers from across the country. Discussions focused on emerging legal challenges, reforms in criminal justice, and strategies for improving internal legal processes.