Free Legal Help at Your Doorstep: Adamawa Launches PDSS Committee
The Adamawa State criminal justice system just got a major boost with the inauguration of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) advisory committee.
This significant milestone, spearheaded by the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ), ensures greater access to legal aid for all citizens.
The committee’s launch organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC II) program with support from International IDEA, marks a new era for legal representation in Adamawa.
The Commissioner of Police, Morris Dankombo, emphasised the importance of diligence and patriotism in the committee’s work.
“This initiative allows every member of society, regardless of social status, to receive free legal services, including advice and counsel, right from the start of their interaction with the police,” explained Barr. Hapsat Abdullahi, the state project coordinator for International IDEA.
She applauded Commissioner Dankombo’s commitment to the ACJ by accepting all six points of the advocacy demands presented by her team.
This swift action, just four weeks after taking office, demonstrates his vision for bringing justice closer to the common man.
The PDSS committee addresses a critical gap: the lack of readily available legal counsel within the police force.
“By collaborating with volunteer lawyers, the committee ensures suspects have access to legal representation during detention.
“Our mandate is rooted in Section 36(5) of the Nigerian Constitution,” Abdullahi noted, “which guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.”
The committee upholds the rights of suspects and accused persons to be treated with dignity, understand the charges against them, prepare a defence, and choose their own legal counsel.
Commending the Adamawa police force for their existing compliance with the ACJ, Abdullahi outlined the committee’s goals: contributing to ongoing police reforms, strengthening legal and human rights protections for suspects, and promoting access to justice for marginalised communities.
The committee’s role extends beyond legal representation. Abdullahi urged solicitors to maintain a positive relationship with the police, contribute to public safety, and provide professional legal services to detainees.
Sharing the enthusiasm, Justice Hafsat Abdurrahman, the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, expressed her gratitude to RoLAC II for this significant development.
“This initiative will significantly benefit the vulnerable and marginalised,” she stated through her representative.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also celebrated this achievement. Kowaobo Takoni, the chairperson of the NBA’s human rights committee, emphasised the committee’s diverse membership, which includes the police, legal aid providers, and other key stakeholders in Adamawa’s criminal justice system.
“The importance of this committee cannot be understated,” Takoni declared. “Everyone deserves to enjoy their human rights, regardless of social status.”
She added that the NBA is fully committed to this initiative, recognising its potential to strengthen the Adamawa State criminal justice system and ensure fair trials for all.
The inauguration of the PDSS committee marks a new chapter for Adamawa, one where legal representation is readily available, protecting the rights of all citizens and ensuring a more just society.
