SAN FRANCISCO, July 07, (THEWILL) – The Senate has passed a bill to amend the Police Act 2004 and prescribe a four-year tenure for the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The Senators in the bill, titled “Police Act CAP P19 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2020”, said the introduction of the tenure for IGP is to give stability to the office of the IGP.
It proposes that the appointment and removal from office of the police boss would henceforth be based on the advice of the Police Council.
It also changes the name of “Nigeria Police” to Nigeria Police Force” as presently in use in view of the failed constitutional attempt to amend the name.
The passage of the bill was sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, presented by the chairman, Haliru Jika.
According to the report, the committee recommended that the tenure of office of the Inspector-General of Police should be a single 4-year term which will make for a secured tenure.
It also recommended that the appointment and removal of the IGP which is in line with section 215 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), should be retained, as any proposal contrary to this provision will require constitution alteration for it to be viable.
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The panel proposed that community policing be strengthened and that it should be made binding on the lGP to adhere to policing plans.
The bill will be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence and would, thereafter, be sent to the president for assent.
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