Police, Rights Groups Collaborate To Enforce Criminal Justice Laws In Cross River

CALABAR – The Cross River State Police Command has strengthened collaboration with civil society actors to deepen enforcement of criminal justice laws statewide.

The engagement, held April 13, 2026, brought together police leadership and justice stakeholders at the Command Headquarters in Calabar.

The meeting followed a strategic visit by the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative to reinforce compliance with existing legal frameworks governing criminal justice.

Representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Council, and other justice sector actors participated actively during the high-level engagement.

Deliberations focused extensively on enforcing the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2016 within Cross River’s evolving justice administration framework.

Participants also examined provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and the Police Act 2020 during discussions.

Officials emphasized strengthening institutional synergy to ensure accountability, improve rights protection, and enhance efficient justice delivery across the state.

Sources within the meeting confirmed that stakeholders reviewed implementation gaps affecting compliance with criminal justice laws in operational policing processes.

The session identified weak inter-agency coordination as a recurring challenge limiting the effective application of justice reforms across enforcement institutions.

Participants further stressed the importance of continuous training for officers to align policing practices with rights-based legal standards.

Speaking during the meeting, Commissioner of Police Rashid B. Afegbua reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Afegbua stated that the Command would continue implementing provisions of the ACJL, ACJA, and the Police Act without compromise.

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He maintained that rights-based policing remains central to improving public trust and strengthening institutional accountability across communities.

“The Command is fully committed to ensuring strict adherence to established criminal justice laws guiding our operations,” Afegbua said.

He added that professionalism and capacity development remain critical to achieving sustainable reforms within the policing system.

Afegbua further assured stakeholders that the Command would prioritize collaboration to improve transparency and justice delivery outcomes.

According to sources, the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative emphasized the urgency of translating legal provisions into measurable enforcement outcomes.

The organization highlighted the need for sustained monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance across all levels of law enforcement operations.

Representatives of the National Human Rights Commission underscored the role of oversight institutions in protecting citizens’ fundamental rights.

They noted that effective enforcement of criminal justice laws requires coordination between police, legal institutions, and human rights bodies.

The Legal Aid Council also stressed expanding access to legal representation, particularly for vulnerable and indigent defendants within the system.

Participants agreed that justice sector collaboration remains essential to reducing delays, unlawful detentions, and procedural violations in criminal cases.

Sources disclosed that discussions addressed operational challenges affecting detention management, case processing, and prosecution timelines.

Stakeholders urged the police to institutionalize reforms that would guarantee transparency and accountability during arrest and investigation procedures.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of public awareness in ensuring citizens understand their rights under existing criminal justice laws.

Afegbua reiterated that the Command would intensify internal training programmes to improve officers’ understanding of legal obligations.

He emphasized that adherence to the Police Act 2020 remains fundamental to ensuring lawful conduct during policing operations statewide.

“The Command will continue to engage stakeholders to build a system that guarantees justice, fairness, and respect for human rights,” he said.

Participants acknowledged progress made in recent years but insisted that enforcement gaps still undermine the effectiveness of criminal justice reforms.

They called for periodic review meetings to track implementation progress and address emerging challenges within the justice system.

Sources noted that the engagement marked a significant step toward strengthening institutional accountability within Cross River’s policing framework.

The partnership is expected to enhance compliance with legal standards and improve confidence in law enforcement institutions among residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed the development in a statement issued after the meeting.

Akata stated that the Command remains open to constructive partnerships that support effective justice administration across the state.

He added that collaboration with civil society organizations will continue to shape reforms within the Command’s operational structure.

The statement, sourced from the Police Command’s official social media handle and sighted by Truth Live News, outlined key outcomes.

Observers believe the renewed partnership could drive measurable improvements in rights protection and criminal justice enforcement statewide.

Analysts also noted that consistent stakeholder engagement remains critical to sustaining reforms within Nigeria’s broader justice system.

The development reflects increasing efforts by law enforcement agencies to align operations with international human rights standards.

Experts argue that implementation remains the defining challenge despite progressive legal frameworks guiding criminal justice administration in Nigeria.

They warned that weak enforcement mechanisms could erode public trust if reforms fail to translate into practical outcomes.

However, the Cross River State Police Command maintains that collaboration will remain central to strengthening justice delivery systems.

The Command reiterated its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and respect for citizens’ rights in all policing operations.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that sustained engagement will drive reforms capable of transforming criminal justice administration in Cross River State.