Egbetokun Upgrades Police Legal Section to Directorate Status, Appoints Pioneer Director

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has elevated the Nigeria Police Force’s Legal Section to the Directorate of Legal Services as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and improving operational efficiency.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The new directorate will function as the apex legal arm of the Force, overseeing legal services, policy reviews, legal training, and structured collaboration with prosecutorial bodies, the judiciary, and other stakeholders in the justice sector. According to the IGP, the reform is designed to give the police’s legal operations a distinct institutional identity, improve cohesion, and ensure recognition both locally and internationally.

Announcing the leadership of the newly upgraded directorate, the IGP appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Ohiozoba O. Ehiede, psc (+), as its pioneer Director. AIG Ehiede, a seasoned officer with a record of distinguished service and proven leadership, is expected to steer the directorate towards fulfilling its mandate with excellence.

The Force said the upgrade demonstrates its commitment to aligning operations with global policing standards, while ensuring that its legal processes are professional, transparent, and efficient. By consolidating its legal structures, the NPF aims to improve its prosecutorial performance and enhance public trust in its operations.

IGP Egbetokun urged all officers, especially police lawyers, to support the new directorate’s efforts to advance justice delivery, raise prosecutorial success rates, and strengthen public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.