Police partner OPD, train 102 officers on Criminal Justice Law

The Area ‘F’ command of the Lagos State command headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP), Akinbayo Olasoji in conjunction with the office of the Public Defender, Lagos State Ministry of Justice today ended a 3-day intensive training programme for no fewer than 102 policemen in the administration of criminal justice in the state.

The training, which took place at the Area “F” command headquarters commenced on June 18 and focused on the rights of the defendants under Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), the rights of the victims, complainants in fundamental human right cases. Director Office of the Public Defender (OPD), in Lagos Mrs A. Adeyemi, who led mentors from office of the public defender, Lagos State ministry of justice said the training would improve policemen in handling issues bothering on child sexual abuse, domestic violence, child labour, trafficking and exploitation amongst others in line with acceptable world standards.

According to her, “OPD took interest in partnering with the police because of the way the Area ‘F’ Commander Akinbayo Olasoji has been handling cases bothering on the area they have trained the police. “We discovered that he was perfect, because he does his job with so much passion and he said to us since you have this knowledge, why not come and share it with us (police). Since then, I must say there is enough cooperation between us. They need to be abreast with world standards, with this I mean the acceptable ways of handling such issues.

He has so much passion to change policing style in the area of jurisdiction.” She said. Olasoji said the training was the idea of the Inspector General of police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu who has advised them to embark on massive training and retraining of policemen nationwide to be abreast with world acceptable standards. Olasoji disclosed that 102 policemen who were drawn from all the divisions under Area ‘F’ participated in the training.

“I approached the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu who was happy with the idea and he didn’t waste a minute in approving the training. I know it will change their mentality and performance and we intend to embark on more training”.

He said.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Bode Adia, a participant in the programme said the training was meant to correct police handling of issues on child abuse, child labour amongst others and assured that what they have learnt would change their orientation for a better policing. Inspector Aleburu Sunday of Alausa Division and a participant said the training was very fantastic as it has broadened his knowledge on how to handle human rights and domestic violence issues, particularly how to interview child suspects and how to present such cases in court for effective result.

The training was facilitated by Mrs. Odeyemi, who trained the policemen on domestic violence law and what is expected of the police. Miss Yetude Ayaji, chief state Counsel, took them an overview of the criminal Justice law (ACJL) which comprises the right of the defendant under AGJL while Mrs. Odimba Gloria, senior counsel educated them on the child labor, trafficking, and exploitation(sexual abuse, defilement). All the mentors came from the office of the public defender, Lagos State Ministry of Justice. Partner Office of Public Defender