Bill to introduce State Police scales second reading
Ongoing efforts toward devolution of powers gained momentum, on Tuesday, as members of the House of Representatives passed through Second Reading of a bill which seeks to establish State Police. The proposed private members’ bill which has 18 clauses seeks to alter Sections 34, 35, 39, 42, 84, 89, 129, 153, 197, 214, 215, and 216 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), seeks to transfer Police from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent Legislative List, with a view to effectively empower States to have State-controlled policing.
Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, Hon. Tolani Shagaya lamented that “Nigeria, a federation of 36 States and Federal Capital Territory, with 774
LGAS, over 250 ethnic nationalities, more than 200 million citizens and a vast terrain spanning over 920,000 square kilometres, still sadly operates a single centralised police system that employs Jess than 400,000 police officers and men. There is no gainsaying that the nation’s security architecture is under immense pressure and always overwhelmed.” He further observed that the bill
“emerges as a necessary response to several calls for a decentralised and community-oriented approach to law enforcement. It seeks to navigate the complex landscape of security challenges by empowering our States with the means to address issues unique to their localities..
“This proposed alteration represents not
just a legal adjustment to our grundnorm, but a visionary leap towards a safer, more secure, and harmonious Nigeria.” According to him, the proposed bill seeks to introduce “a comprehensive framework to ensure cohesion as well as accountability and uniform standards. between the Federal Police and State Police
“The provision of prescribed rigorous
safeguards preventing unwarranted
interference by the Federal Police in
State Police Affairs, emphasising
collaboration and intervention only under
well-defined circumstances.
“The establishment of State Police Service Commissions as distinct from the Federal Police Service Commission with clearly defined roles and jurisdictions. “A re-calibration of the National Police Council to include the Chairmen of the State Police Service Commissions, emphasising the collaborative and consultative nature of policing in our Federal system.
“A recognition of the possible financial
challenges which may be faced by
States Police, by empowering the
Federal Government to provide grants or alds subject to the approval of the National Assembly, thus ensuring adequate resources for effective policing, etc.”
In his contribution, Hon, Ahmed Jaha
who described the bill as timely, argued
that security is the responsibility of all
the Citizens.
He noted that with community policing
and Nigerian police working in tandem,
they will rid our communities of all forms
of crime
Also speaking, Hon. Babajimi Benson
underscored the need to empower
Nigeria Police to license any State that.
expressed intent and meet the
requirements set by the Police Service
Commission.
While noting that the Police may renew
the license or otherwise if such State
abused the licence, Hon. Benson
expressed optimism that when put in
place, State Police license would reduce
unemployment and reduce the burden on
recurrent expenditure from the Federal
Government
On his part, Hon Awajl-Inombek Abiante
in supporting the bill, noted that Nigeria
has had enough of insecurity and
establishing State Police is a sure way of
guaranteeing security of lives and
property amidst current security
challenges.
While expressing optimism that the
proposed bill when passed into law will
cure the tragedy of millitary decree of
1966, he underscored the need for
deliberate efforts toward ensuring that
the law is well drafted to meet the
security needs of the country.
Also speaking, Hon. Ali Madaki who
admitted to being part of the killing of
State Police bill in the seventh Assembly,
disclosed that the fear was to avert a
situation where State Governors would
use the State Police for political
opponents
While noting that the whole country is on
fire, he noted that each State will deploy
the State Police in such a manner that
addresses their peculiarities
However, in his intervention, the Deputy
Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who
presided over the plenary urged the
lawmakers to put the nation above
personal or sentimental gains
Also speaking, Hon. Sada Soli about 21
States including Benue, Taraba
caught up in the socio-political, ethno
religious crises across the country.
While noting that some of the States
clamouring for establishment of State
Police are not economically viable, he
acknowledged that State Police is a
noble idea, though capital intensive.
He however cited that there was a
situation where a State Governor denied
a political opponent from landing at the
airport, hence argued that such a
Governor is capable of using the State
Police for coercion of the opposition.
To this end, he urged the lawmakers to
put all issues into perspective before
enacting the law.
Hon. Ademarin Kuye argued that with
400,000 Policemen to 200 million
Nigerians, Nigeria is under policed,
While noting that deployment of a Police
officer to a State that he is not familiar
with will make him inefficient and
ineffective in the course of discharging
his duties.
In her remarks, Hon. Marie Ebikake, who
also supported the bill, explained that so
many States have security outfits
Increase that could be strengthened and
incorporated into the State Police
While contributing to the debate,
Majority Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Kumo
who supported the bill, expressed the
need to address some of the grey areas
and concerns raised during previous
Assemblies.
Hon. Kumo who lamented over the
Incessant killings across the country,
berated Federal Government for falling to
provide funding for the ongoing
recruitment exercise into the Nigerian
Police
While stressing that about current
400,000 Police workforce is inadequate,
he argued that the long stay of military
has put Nigerian Police which has the
sole responsibility of providing internal
security across the country to the
background by the Nigerian Army.
While noting that there is nothing
stopping Federal Government from
declaring state of emergency in the
Nigerian police with a view to recruit
adequate number of youths into the
security agencies.
Also speaking, Hon. Ben Itanabene
(Labour-Delta) who called for
establishment of distinct police structure
for over 20 years, noted that mere use of
State Police sends wrong signal that
Governors will be in control of the State.
Police.
While urging the House to delete the
word ‘State’ from the bill, he however
called for decentralization of the Federal
Police by using Police Command.
After robust debate on the bill, Hon. Kaku
referred the bill to the Special Ad-hoc
Committee on Constitution Amendment
for further legislative action.
(TRIBUNE)
