- On Wednesday, April 17 a bill seeking to reform the Nigeria Police Force was passed by the Senate
- Highlights of the bill include a N100,000 fine or six months jail term for anyone who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer
- Another clause prohibits the impersonation of police officers and prescribes a N300,000 fine or three years imprisonment or both, for such offence
- Legit.ng outlined 6 other highlights of the bill
A bill seeking to reform the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, April 17.
The bill was passed following the presentation of a report by the chairman of the Police Affairs Committee, Tijani Kaura, The Cable reports.
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Legit.ng gathers that while moving for the bill’s passage, the chairman said during a public hearing, stakeholders were divided over the appointment of an inspector-general of police, subject to approval of the upper legislative chamber.
He added that a strong case for community policing was also made by the stakeholders.
Kaura said: “That the establishment of community police is strongly recommended.
“That the tenure of the office of the inspector-general of police should be a single four-year term which will make for a second tenure.”
See eight highlights of the bill below:
1) Clause 4 (c) says the president shall appoint the inspector-general of police from the recommended applicants, subject to the Senate’s confirmation.
2) Clause 6 (a) says the president shall remove the inspector-general from office for his inability to effectively perform the functions of his office. (b) for gross misconduct. (c) where the president is satisfied that is in no longer in the interest of the police force or public for inspector-general to continue in office.
3) Clause 23 provides for the establishment of a police fund.
4) Clause 96 provides that anyone who assaults a police officer, obstructs or resists a police officer is liable to a fine of N100,000 or six months in jail.
5) Clause 98 prohibits the taking of liquor or intoxicating substance while on duty and prescribes a N20,000 fine or three months in jail as punishment for such offence.
6) Clause 99 prohibits the impersonation of police officers and prescribes a N300,000 fine or three years imprisonment or both, for such offence.
7) Clause 100 prohibits the entry into the police force with forged certificate and prescribes a N500,000 fine or three months in jail for such offence.
8) Clause 103 provides for the establishment of community police forum.
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Recall that Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigerian Senate passed the police reform bill and will transmit it to the House of Representative for concurrence.
The bill, which seeks to re-enact the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Act of 1943, had passed the second reading at a plenary session in July 2018 presided over by the deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu.
If eventually consented by the lower chamber, the bill will help improve and further promote the service-oriented modern police that will meet globally acceptable standards suitable for a democratic setting.
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Source: Legit.ng
