By

Stephen Simon

The Police have been tasked with the protection and observance of human rights at all times. This was contained in a charge made at the Divisional Police Station (DPO) Isolo-Okota, Lagos State by the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Surulere Branch Mr Henry Obinna Ezeanyim when members of the committee conducted a visit to assess compliance with human rights standards specifically the constitutional detention limit, state of the holding cells, the prohibition of torture, and the availability of legal counsel for suspects in custody under the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS). The visit held on Tuesday 22nd April 2026. The Committee was received by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) DSP Funke Daniel in the absence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and provided a briefing on the Station’s current operations. She highlighted the Division’s challenges which included lack of logistics to ferry suspects to court lamenting that they use hired commercial tricycle for the purpose. Furthermore, the DCO stated that the Human Rights Desk Officer was transferred out of the Station early 2025. In a reply to a question by the Vice Chairman of the Committee Ben Abraham about the Human Rights Desk, the DCO stated that no Police Officer has shown interest in taking up the Human Rights Desk role since the last one was transferred. She added that trainings on Human rights are done by the Command noting that the structure is such that they have to take instructions from the Command. On the issue of PDSS, the DCO expressed ignorance of the Force Order 20, a legal instrument that birthed the work of Duty Solicitors in Police Stations all over the country. She however noted that Chief Magistrates do perform oversight functions in the station monthly pursuant to Section 283 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2021 and Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. The Committee noted that only two names were displayed on the Crime Board. In reply the DCO stated that the crime rate was not as high as in other places further adding that their officers also endeavoured to settle many cases before the stages of detention and arraignment. The Committee interacted with some of the officers during the visit. On the area of highlighted challenges, the Committee Chairman promised to take them up with the authorities stressing that the promotion and defence of human rights was a collaborative one. In conclusion, the DCO showed the Committee around the Station.