Olisa Agbakoba supports state police, advocates for constitutional safeguards against political control
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Olisa Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, has endorsed the proposed introduction of state police in Nigeria, commending President Bola Tinubu for transmitting a bill to amend Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution. Agbakoba, however, warned that the reform's success hinges on constitutionally insulating law enforcement agencies from executive interference. In an open letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Agbakoba suggested that the creation of state police also presents an opportunity to devolve additional responsibilities to state governments, such as driver's license issuance, prison administration, and marriage registration. He cautioned that without institutional protection, state police could become tools of executive power, similar to the challenges faced by State Independent Electoral Commissions. Agbakoba proposed a constitutional framework akin to South Africa's, where independent institutions derive autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure, guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature. He also suggested a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership, involving the Police Service Commission, the governor, and the State House of Assembly, to prevent political interference. Agbakoba emphasized that establishing state police without these constitutional safeguards would undermine the reform's objective and could lead to oppression.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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