The House of Representatives has abandoned its earlier version of the proposed State Police Bill and commenced consideration of a new Executive Bill submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking a significant shift in the ongoing constitutional reform aimed at restructuring Nigeria’s policing system.
The decision followed the reading of a letter from President Tinubu during plenary on Wednesday. In the letter, the President urged lawmakers to fast-track the Executive Bill, describing it as a more comprehensive proposal that builds on previous legislative efforts while introducing additional safeguards for the operation of state police.
Before the latest development, the House had already passed its own version of the bill and constituted a 12-member conference committee to harmonise differences with the Senate’s version. However, the House rescinded its earlier resolution, dissolved the harmonisation committee, and resolved to begin fresh consideration of the Executive Bill.
Leading debate on the proposal, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere said the legislation seeks to provide a stronger constitutional framework for the establishment and regulation of state police services across the country.
One of the major provisions of the Executive Bill clearly separates the responsibilities of the proposed Federal Police Service and State Police Services. While the Federal Police would retain responsibility for national security matters—including terrorism, cybercrime, organised crime, border security, inter-state offences and policing the Federal Capital Territory—state police would focus on enforcing state laws, maintaining public order, protecting lives and property, and handling local security challenges.
The bill also outlines circumstances under which the Federal Government may intervene in the operations of a state police service. Such intervention would be permitted in cases of serious security breakdown, threats to national security, operational failure of a state police service, requests by governors, or evidence of widespread human rights abuses, partisan policing, or unconstitutional activities.
To prevent abuse of these powers, the proposal requires every federal intervention to be authorised in writing by the President, with notification sent to the governor, State House of Assembly, National Police Council and National Assembly within 48 hours. Any prolonged intervention would require Senate approval and remain subject to judicial review.
Another key provision prohibits state police from operating outside their respective states unless authorised by an Act of the National Assembly. The bill also states that governors cannot direct state police to target specific individuals, political parties, or groups outside the limits of the law.
The proposed legislation further includes transitional arrangements under which the Nigeria Police Force would automatically become the Federal Police Service until the restructuring process is completed. Federal policing would continue in every state until a state police service is officially established and certified operational.
The Executive Bill has now passed its first reading in the House of Representatives and will proceed through further legislative stages, including debate, committee review and public scrutiny before any constitutional amendments can be finalised….See More
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