Senate Amends Police Act, Pegs IGP Tenure At 4-year Single Term

The senate has fixed the tenure of the inspector-general of police (IGP) at a four-year single term.

The development is a precursor to amendment of the police act.

The upper legislative chamber passed the bill into law after consideration of the clauses in the bill entitled ‘An Act to Repeal the Police Act, Cap. Pl9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Enact the Police Act, 2020’.

While presenting a report just before the consideration of clauses in the bill on the floor of the senate on Tuesday, Haliru Jika, chairman of police affairs committee, said a majority of the stakeholders at the public hearing were against senate’s confirmation of IGPs.

“Opinions were divided on the provisions of the Bill that seeks for the confirmation at the senate for the appointment and removal Of the inspector-general of police,” Jika said.

“Some were in support while the majority were against. That there was unanimity on the issue of tenure of office for four years for the inspector-general of police.

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“That the provision in the draft bill in respect of the establishment of community police forum is a welcomed development.”

On the appointment and reappointment of IGPs, the legislators retained the previous provision which says they should be engaged in line with section 215 of the constitution.

”That the community policing be strengthened,” part of the recommendations read.

“That the tenure at office of the inspector-general of police should be a single 4-year term which will make for a secured tenure.”

The bill passed third reading after its clauses were voted on.

The bill will be sent to the house of representatives for concurrence.