Odinkalu Slams National Assembly For Passing Police Act Amendment Without Public Hearing, Tags It #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria

The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives have come under fire for passing the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, which seeks to amend the Police Act 2020 and enable the current Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to complete his tenure without a public hearing.

The bill’s passage has been met with criticism from various quarters, with many accusing the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives of undermining due process and democratic principles.

Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, took to social media to express his displeasure with the actions of the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives. In a tweet, Odinkalu stated, “Nigeria is now endangered by the martial tendencies of its @nassnigeria. In 1 day, both chambers of the NASS passed an executive bill extending the tenure of the IG of @PoliceNG indefinitely & without a public hearing. #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria.”

Jaafar Jaafar, a Nigerian journalist and founder of Daily Nigerian, also weighed in on the issue, highlighting the alleged luxury hampers given to lawmakers by President Bola Tinubu. In a tweet, Jaafar said, “While the masses groan under biting hardship, Nigerian lawmakers wallow in abundance. Tinubu’s recent request to increase 2024 budget by N6.2trn came with luxury hampers for the lawmakers. Tucked under constituency project veil, is a “gift” of N400m to each senator and N200m to each member of the House of Reps.”

The Police Act Amendment Bill 2024 was passed by the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, July 23, after its third reading. The bill was also forwarded to the House of Representatives for consideration by President Tinubu. The proposed amendments focus on the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, with the aim of allowing Egbetokun, who was appointed by Tinubu in June 2023, to complete his four-year term.

The amendment Bill proposes changes to the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) by increasing the retirement age of police officers from 60 to 65 years and their tenure of service from 35 to 40 years.

Under the current Police Act 2020, Egbetokun is expected to retire in September 2024 when he turns 60. If he retires as scheduled, he would have served for only one year and three months. This is not the first time the tenure of a serving IGP has caused controversy in Nigeria. In 2021, former President Muhammadu Buhari extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as IGP in violation of the Police Act.

Critics argue that the passage of the Police Act Amendment Bill 2024 by the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives without a public hearing is a clear indication of the government’s disregard for transparency and accountability. They call for a more inclusive and democratic process in amending laws that have far-reaching implications for the country’s security and governance.

As the controversy surrounding the Police Act Amendment Bill 2024 continues to unfold, many Nigerians are demanding that their elected representatives in the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives prioritize the interests of the people over political expediency.