The house of representatives has
rejected a bill seeking to reform the Nigeria police force.
The bill was rejected during
plenary on Wednesday, about a month after being passed by the senate.
The bill, which seeks to repeal
the Police Act of 2004, would “provide for the framework for the police
service” as well as ensure partnership between the police and communities.
Some of its provisions include:
Establishment of a police fund; a fine of N100,000 or six months imprisonment
for anyone who assaults a police officer, obstructs or resists a police
officer; fine of N20,000 or three months imprisonment for officers caught
taking liquor or intoxicating substance while on duty; establishment of
community police forum.
The lawmakers specifically argued
that some of the provisions are inconsistent with the 1999 constitution.
Abubakar lawal, chairman, house
committee on police affairs, said while the changes to the police act are long
overdue, the bill is inconsistent with the constitution.
“Unless we amend the
constitution, we can not implement the bill. The bill also proposed the
reduction of the number of DIGs, are we moving forward or backward? The bill is
also referring to the Police as police force which is against the
constitution,” he said.
Lasun Yusuf, deputy speaker,
agreed with him, saying the bill will “further complicate things.”
“Most of the provisions of this
bill are against the constitution. This bill is complicating matters. How can
we talk about consultation with the governor when the commissioners of police
are not answerable to the governors,” he said.
Tobi Okechukwu from Enugu state
said the major reform needed in the Nigeria force is the establishment of state
police.
According to him, “the present
structure is defective. The governors have all agreed that there is a need for
state police. Judging by the crime rate, we need to consider the structure of
the police. When you take an anambra man to Borno, it will take him time to
adjust.”
Mohammed Monguno from Borno state,
however, argued in favour of the bill. He said it will bring the standard
operating procedure of police up to the level of international best practices.
It was subsequently voted against
when put to vote by Yakubu Dogara, the speaker.
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