The House of Representatives Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review will meet on Monday to consider the State Police Bill submitted by President Bola Tinubu as part of the ongoing process to amend the 1999 Constitution. The committee, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, is expected to examine the proposed legislation before presenting its recommendations to the House.
The 26-clause bill recently passed its second reading in the House of Representatives and provides the legal framework for the creation of state police services across Nigeria. Under the proposal, states would be allowed to establish and operate their own police organisations, provided they meet national standards set by an Act of the National Assembly before becoming operational.
The latest review follows the House’s earlier decision to withdraw the version of the bill passed in June after lawmakers agreed that both chambers of the National Assembly should first harmonise their positions. A 12-member conference committee was set up to reconcile differences before the legislative process moved forward.
The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to introduce a dual policing system in Nigeria. Under the arrangement, the Federal Police Service would continue to handle federal policing duties, while individual states would have the authority to establish state police services through their respective laws.
The bill also proposes the creation of State Police Service Commissions in every state. These commissions would oversee the appointment, discipline and administration of officers serving in state police organisations.
To support the new policing structure, the bill recommends amendments to several sections of the 1999 Constitution, including provisions relating to public service, legislative powers and other constitutional schedules connected to policing and security administration.
According to the proposal, the Federal Police Service would remain responsible for policing in every state until a state successfully establishes its own police service and receives certification confirming that it has met the required national standards. Even after a state police service begins operations, the Federal Police Service would continue to handle federal security matters and provide support to state police authorities whenever necessary.
The bill also introduces measures covering civilian oversight, protection of human rights, national policing standards, cooperation between federal and state security agencies, criminal information management, firearms regulation and conditions under which the Federal Government may intervene if a state police service fails to operate effectively or poses a threat to national security.
While the constitutional amendment provides the legal foundation for state policing, the proposal leaves operational matters such as organisational structure, complaint procedures, certification, funding arrangements and implementation guidelines to future laws that would be enacted by the National Assembly and the various State Houses of Assembly.
Another part of the proposal seeks to redefine the country’s public service by replacing references to the Nigeria Police Force with the Federal Police Service. It also recognises officers and employees of State Police Services and State Police Service Commissions as members of the public service.
The bill further sets out procedures for removing the Inspector-General of the Federal Police Service and State Commissioners of Police. Under the proposal, the President would require the approval of a two-thirds majority of the Senate before removing the Inspector-General on grounds such as misconduct, incapacity or violation of the Constitution.
A similar process would apply to governors seeking to remove State Commissioners of Police, subject to the approval of two-thirds of members of the State House of Assembly.
The committee is expected to complete its review and submit its report when the House of Representatives resumes plenary, allowing lawmakers to continue deliberations on the proposed constitutional amendment.