Isiyaku Ahmed
The Kano State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the administration of criminal justice with renewed support for the effective implementation of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS), a key initiative aimed at safeguarding suspects’ rights and reducing prolonged pre-trial detention.
The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, made the commitment on Wednesday while delivering a goodwill message at a Capacity Building Program on the Strategic Implementation of the PDSS held at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Kano Branch Secretariat.
The training was organised through a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Kano State Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) to enhance collaboration among justice sector stakeholders in implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2019 and other criminal justice laws in the state.
The PDSS is designed to ensure that suspects have legal representation during police interrogation, support victims and survivors of crime, address prolonged pre-trial detention, and facilitate the decongestion of detention facilities.
Speaking at the event, CP Bakori described the scheme as a vital component of criminal justice reform, saying its effective implementation would promote a justice system that is fair, transparent, accountable and respectful of human rights.
According to him, the initiative also strengthens public confidence in policing by ensuring that investigations are conducted within the framework of the law.
The police commissioner disclosed that officers across the command had already undergone training on the provisions of the PDSS to ensure compliance during investigations.
He further revealed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Bompai has established a dedicated Administration of Criminal Justice Law Section responsible for monitoring investigations and ensuring strict adherence to the provisions of the law.
He explained that the unit was created to guarantee the protection of suspects’ constitutional rights while ensuring investigations meet acceptable legal standards of fairness and justice.
Bakori pledged the full cooperation of the Kano State Police Command with the ACJMC, UNDP and other justice sector partners in advancing the implementation of the scheme across the state.
The training attracted major stakeholders in the justice sector, including representatives of the Kano State Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), the Legal Aid Council, the Nigerian Bar Association, magistrates, divisional police officers, divisional crime officers and development partners.
Participants at the event, including representatives of the Chief Judge of Kano State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and the Legal Aid Council, commended the Kano State Police Command for its commitment to implementing the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme and fostering stronger collaboration with justice sector institutions.
The Command reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights and ensuring that justice is delivered fairly to both suspects and victims of crime, while pledging continued sensitisation of its personnel to fully integrate the scheme into policing operations across the state.
