The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos branch, has announced its decision to attach its members to police stations in the state to check human rights abuses by the police.

The Chairman of the Lagos NBA Human Rights Committee, Mr Okey Ilofulunwa, said in a statement that members of the branch’s Police Duty Solicitors Scheme would offer free legal services to detainees at police stations.

He announced the appointment of a former Publicity Secretary of the branch, Mr Emeka Nwadioke, as the Chairman of the PDSS.

Ilofulunwa said the Nwadioke-led committee would drive implementation of sections 33 and 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

He said, “The committee will domicile its members in police detention centres among others to offer free legal services to detainees and help in stemming the filing of frivolous charges which congest our courts.

“The committee will also accompany chief magistrates on oversight visits to detention facilities in the Lagos area, towards ensuring compliance with human rights standards.”

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