By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
A Non Govermental Organization, (NGO) Global Rights, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force, has launched an initiative to provide free legal services to detained defendants across Sokoto State.
The initiative tagged” Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) is to commence in 6 Divisional Police areas of the State as a pilot scheme.
Speaking at the programme in Sokoto, the Programme Manager of Global Rights, Prince Edosa Oviawe, said they have conducted a study to identify gaps in the implementation of the PDSS and have found that having lawyers at each police station is crucial to the scheme’s success.
According to Oviawe, PDSS when fully operational would not only guarantee access to justice but also promote accountability the justice system.
“We are partnering with the Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto to deploy lawyers to police stations, thereby effectively implementing the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme.
“We have covered the three senatorial districts in Sokoto State, selecting two police stations from each district to pilot the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme.
“We will review the scheme’s progress next year and draw lessons to inform its expansion and improvement.” The Global Rights Programme Manager, assured.
Speaking on his part, Sokoto State Legal Aid Coordinator, Barrister Aliyu Muhammed Ajiya, admitted that the PDSS entails deploying lawyers to police stations.
Barrister Ajiya who spoke on the topic “Understanding The PDSS Scheme: Pretrial Detention and the Role of Police Officers in Implementing PDSS,” said the initiative will surely enable suspects have access to legal representation.
“The Scheme aims to ensure suspects have access to free legal representation and to reduce pretrial detention to minimize the number of people held in detention before trial and enhance the rights of suspects and detainees”.
While noting that deployment of lawyers to police stations has the potential of preventing rights violations and promote accountability within the criminal justice system, Barrister Ajiya said every suspect, irrespective of the weight of the allegations against him or her should have access to a lawyer upon arrival at a police station.
Stating why lawyers presence is important, Barrister Aliya said he or she will educate suspects of the their constitutional rights and entitlement and ensure non torture, molestarion or intimidated before making statement.
To this note, the legal luminary affirmed that unhindered implementation of the PDSA scheme will guarantee a more peaceful society where constitutional rights are safeguarded, thereby giving citizens the confidence to freely interact with the police without fear of harrasment or detention.
On his part, the Sokoto State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, who presented paper on “Understanding the Structure of the Sokoto Police Force: Overview of Police Act and Human Rights Protection” said there is the need for continues training of police officers on the Police Act as amended in 2020, particularly in the areas of handling suspects and victims without infringing on their rights.
While noting that mechanisms is in place to checkmate police officers actions, ASP Rufai assured of sustained synergy that will allow smooth dispensation of justice
