Training on the Implementation of the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Training on the Implementation of the Police Duty Solicitors’ Scheme (PDSS) in the FCT Thursday 31 st October 2019 Sharing the NBA Ikorodu Experience By Ba yo Akinlade, Esq Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Branch 08065172866, bayoace@gmail.com LA LACON ON/EU/ /EU/ BC RoL oLAC

PDSS: An NBA Ikorodu Branch’s Experience HOW NBA IKORODU BRANCH STARTED PDSS  Established a Committee within the Branch called: The Police and Other Law Enforcement Intervention Committee  Appointed a Coordinator within the Committee to Coordinate all PDSS activities Bayo Akinlade, Esq LACON/EU/BC RoLAC

PDSS: An NBA Ikorodu Branch’s Experience HOW PDSS STARTED….CONTD  Organized a sensitization workshop for lawyers and representatives from the Police  Embarked on an awareness campaign by reaching out to PCRC leaders and attending their meetings  Visited all police formations within Ikorodu to introduce our members Bayo Akinlade, Esq LACON/EU/BC RoLAC

PDSS: An NBA Ikorodu Branch’s Experience GENERAL EXPERINCES:  Some DPOs and other senior officers within the police stations claimed the were not aware of Police Force Order No. 20  Some DPOs required a signal from the Area Commander to allow our volunteers provide free legal services  To make PDSS work, we had to organize volunteers to adopt Police Stations closest to were they reside or where their offices were located Bayo Akinlade, Esq LACON/EU/BC RoLAC

PDSS: An NBA Ikorodu Branch’s Experience GENERAL EXPERINCES: TO Make it Work … .CONTD  We organized a few training workshops, shared experiences and focused on our attitude towards the Police  Our Volunteers remained neutral in carrying out their responsibilities  Partnered with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, OPD and the Lagos State Judiciary (Magistrates): Volunteer lawyers accompany Magistrates to visit police stations statewide Bayo Akinlade, Esq LACON/EU/BC RoLAC

OSJI, LACON & PZ Cussons Support PDSS

We printed banners, flyers and engaged in at least one community intervention program every other month

PDSS: An NBA Ikorodu Branch’s Experience PART 2: WHAT HAS NOT WORKED Bayo Akinlade, Esq LACON/EU/BC RoLAC

PDSS: An NBA Ikorodu Branch’s Experience WHAT YOU MUST NOT DO  Approaching the Police Station as a Lawyer: Never approach the Police as a Lawyer. Go as a Legal Aid Service Provider  Going Alone: Avoid this if possible  Taking Sides: Avoid giving extensive or detailed Legal Advice. Remember, you are a FACILITATOR and not a Legal Representative to the Suspect or Complainant Bayo Akinlade, Esq LACON/EU/BC RoLAC

PDSS: An NBA Ikorodu Branch’s Experience WHAT YOU MUST NOT DO… Contd  Avoid arguments with the Police or Complainants  Don’t let the Police know when you are Visiting the Station  Don’t be too familiar with the Police  Don’t operate in a particular Police Station for too long: Avoid the “Resident Lawyer” stigma Bayo Akinlade, Esq LACON/EU/BC RoLAC

Training on the Implementation of the Police Duty Solicitors’ Scheme (PDSS) in the FCT THANK YOU Ba yo Akinlade, Esq Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Branch 08065172866, bayoace@gmail.com LA LACON ON/EU/ /EU/ BC RoL oLAC