Senate Passes Police Reform Bill, Recommends 5-Year Term For IGP

The Senate on Wednesday passed the Police Reform Bill.

This followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Tijjani Kaura, and clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.

The bill which seeks to reposition the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) recommends a five-year statutory tenure for any Police officer appointed as the Inspector-General of Police ( IG).

The bill states that the tenure of such an office is statutory notwithstanding the IGP’s retirement age.

The bill seeks to ensure that such appointment is subjected to confirmation of the Senate as it applies to all service chiefs, Chief Justice of Nigeria ( CJN), ministers, ambassadors, heads of statutory commissions and agencies.

It provides that the Nigeria Police Council shall nominate three applicants from among the pool of applicants for the position of IG to the President for the appointment.

The bill provides an internal disciplinary mechanism for any Police officer who brutalises or kills an innocent citizen.

Furthermore, two-year jail term or N5 million fine is stipulated as punishment for any impersonator as Policeman or Police officer.

Equally, the name “Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is retained in the bill since ‘Force’ is captured in the 1999 Constitution.

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, thanked all those that contributed to the passage of the bill. (NAN)