The Bill for an Act to repeal the Police Act, 2004 and establish the Police Reform Act, 2018 scaled second reading in the Senate. The Bill seeks to create a policing system that measures up to global policing standards.
Leading the debate on the Bill at the plenary session of Tuesday, 10 July 2017, Sen. Baba Ibn Na’allah (APC: Kebbi) stated the objectives of the Bill to include:
- Creating of a policing structure that guarantees the protection of the rights and freedom of citizens;
- Establishing a system that prevents and detects crimes, apprehend offenders and duly enforce all laws and regulations within its mandate; and
- Ensuring an effective collaboration and co-operation between the Police Service and communities.
According to Sen. Na’allah, the highlights of the Bill include the provisions of clauses that:
- Replaces the nomenclature of the “ Nigerian Police Force” with the “Nigerian Police”;
- Prohibits a Police Officer from being the prosecutor in a matter for which he/she participated in order to promote justice and allow for a free and fair trial;
- Provides for the bail of persons arrested without a warrant to the effect that such persons shall not be kept in detention for more than 24hours without being charged to court;
- Criminalizes the consumption of alcohol while on official duty;
- Establishes a Community Police Forum and Board in all States of the Federation which comprise of representatives from communities in these States with a view to promoting an effective, efficient and participatory policing system;
- Establishes a Divisional and State Police Board whose function shall include maintaining partnership, promoting communication and building cooperation between the community and the police; and
- Establishes a compliant authority responsible for the receipt of complaints from the public against police officers.
Concluding his submissions, Sen. Na’allah noted that the Bill, if passed, will reform Nigeria’s policing structure by replacing the extant Police Act which came into effect in 1943. The Bill has been referred to the Committee on Police Affairs for further legislative scrutiny.
