Committee proposes robust independent oversight for state police to prevent abuse
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Steering Committee on the establishment of a State Police Service SPS, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, has recommended a strong, multi-layered oversight framework to safeguard against political interference. In its report to the News Agency of Nigeria, the committee emphasized that robust, independent, and multi-layered accountability is crucial for ensuring that state police serve their communities rather than political patrons. The proposed architecture aims to create overlapping lines of accountability to prevent systematic abuse. The report highlights that effective policing relies on public trust, which is built on strong oversight, citing past issues like the #EndSARS movement and extortion scandals as examples of the consequences of insufficient accountability within the Nigeria Police Force. The committee proposes establishing State Police Service Commissions SPSC in each state as independent constitutional bodies. These commissions would include a retired High Court judge, a retired senior police officer, a senior legal academic, public administration experts, a civil society member with a human rights background, a representative of traditional rulers, a women鈥檚 rights advocate, and a youth representative. Members would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State House of Assembly for a four-year tenure. The SPSC's functions would include appointing, confirming, promoting, and disciplining SPS members, reviewing and approving the state police bud
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