By Asuquo Cletus
Edo— In a bid to promote awareness and understanding of the Police Act 2020, the Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) otherwise The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative has organized a media town hall meeting in Benin City, Edo state NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The event, which held on Thursday, November 28, 2024, brought together journalists from various media organizations in Edo as well as other states of the south south geopolitical zone to discuss the key provisions of the Police Act 2020 and its implications on police-citizen interactions.
The Police Act 2020, which replaced the previous Police Act introduces several innovations in police governance, including provisions for accountability, transparency, and protection of human rights.
The meeting featured discussions on the importance of the Police Act 2020, its key provisions, and how it affects police operations and citizen interactions.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Isioma Kemakolam a panelist noted the media engagement is aimed at educating media practitioners on the key provisions of the Police Act 2020, its implications on police-citizen interactions, and how it affects police operations.
She said “This meeting is important for media practitioners and it is holding in Edo, Lagos, Kano, and several other places, the aim of this meeting is simply to reawaken journalists, who were carefully selected to create an awareness of the Police Act 2020 and its provisions, which we believe will empower citizens with the knowledge they need to demand their rights.
“The media town hall meeting is a significant step towards promoting awareness and understanding of the Police Act 2020 among media practitioners and the general public. By empowering journalists with knowledge of the law, PWAN aims to promote more informed and effective reporting on police activities and citizen interactions.
“We are also here to learn how we can hold the police to be accountable and transparent in their line of duties through our various reportage, by reporting accurately and fairly on police activities; you journalists can help to push the narratives on how to build trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities”.
Also speaking Ms. Chinyere Oratokhai, disclosed that although the media has done its part in creating an awareness, there are still lapses between the Act and the operations of the police.
She decried that citizens and the police are not effectively informed on the provisions of the act, as it oftentimes leads to police brutality and illegal detention.
Oratokhai called on media practitioners, civil society organizations, and law enforcement agencies to collaborate and work together towards promoting police accountability and transparency.
These she said “Is necessary for addressing misconceptions and misinformation about the Police Act 2020 and its provisions. By providing accurate and reliable information, the meeting aims to promote a better understanding of the law.”
High points of the event were presentations from journalists who discussed some of the gaps faced in their respective State, as well as recommendations on the key provisions of the Act.
PWAN is a non-governmental organization keen about enhancing citizens’ participation and improving security governance in Nigeria and West Africa broadly. It achieves this objective through the Rule of Law, Citizens Security, and CSO strengthening Program Areas.
