Senate Tuesday passed for third reading, the Police Act 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2020, which provided for a four year single term for future Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
This was sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate committee on Police Affairs on the bill presented by its Chairman, Senator Halliru Jika ( APC Bauchi Central).
According to the Senate, the action for a single term of four years for a serving Inspector General of Police became imperative in order to give stability to the office of the IGP, just as it passed that the community policing be strengthened.
The Upper Chamber has also approved that on the Appointment and Removal of the Inspector-General of Police, the provisions of the constitution in line with Section 2l5 of the l999 constitution (as amended) should be retained, as any proposal contrary to this provision will require constitution alteration for it to be viable.
It also states that the Police abide and enforce certain constitutional provisions, particularly fundamental rights at persons in Police custody under chapter 4 of the l999 constitution (as amended) and other international instruments on Human rights to which Nigeria is a signatory (including of provisions that reiterate the importance of fundamental human rights and advocating for their observance).
Provisions of the bill reads : ” That it should be made binding on the lnspector-General of Police to adhere to policing plans.
“That the national policing plan should be made with inputs from the Police Force Headquarters and all the various Police formations nationwide before the end of each financial year, setting out priorities, objectives, cost implications and expected outcomes of Policing for the next succeeding financial year in order to change budgeting from a top-down approach to a down-up approach.
“That the name “Nigeria Police” proposed in the draft Bill should be changed to Nigeria Police Force” as presently in use in view of the failed constitution alteration attempt to amend the name.
“That the Police abide and enforce certain constitutional provisions, particularly fundamental rights at persons in Police custody under chapter 4 of the l999 constitution (as amended) and other international instruments on Human rights to which Nigeria is a signatory (including of provisions that reiterate the importance of fundamental human rights and advocating for their observance) and that the community policing be strengthened.”
Earlier in the presentation of the report, Senator Jika said that having exhaustively and painstakingly analyzed the Presentations made by stakeholders during the Public Hearing vis a vis our comments on same Clause(s ) the Bill, the Committee observed ” that from the views expressed and canvassed by stakeholders during the Public Hearing. it can be deduced that stakeholders and the general Public were in full support at the passage at the Bill with reservations in same at the provisions in the draft Bill:
“that the legislative intent behind the introduction [It the Bill by the Senate is laudable and commendable as it is aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Farce in the performance of its constitutional functions at protecting life and property:
“that opinions were divided on the provisions of the Bill that seeks fer the eenfirmatian at the Senate far the appointment and removal Of the Inspector General at Police. Same were in support while majority were against;
“that there was unanimity an the issue of tenure of office for four (4) years for the Inspector-General at Police;
“that the provision in the draft bill In respect of the establishment of community Police Forum Is a welcome development.”
