Group implores Tinubu to reject police act amendment bill

The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has implored President Bola Tinubu to reject the amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020.

Buna Olaitan, HURMA’s Executive Director, spoke at a press conference in Lagos on Friday.

Olaitan said the bill, which seeks to extend the service years of police personnel, undermines the rule of law and could cause internal discord within the force.

He described the bill as “undemocratic” and questioned its “swift” rapid passage by the national assembly.

Olaitan expressed concerns over Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector general of police’s extended stay in office, noting that he is due to retire in September.

“Our concern is that Mr Kayode Egbetokun should have proceeded on his terminal leave and handed over to another credible officer in an Acting capacity before appointing a substantive Inspector General of Police, in line with Section 215(1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered,” he said.

“It is amazing to note the overzealousness of the distinguished members of the National Assembly in passing a Bill to amend the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, to accommodate Mr Kayode Egbetokun’s prolonged tenure despite his reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

“We have serious grounds to doubt the democratic credentials and loyalty of our lawmakers to the Nigerian people due to the rapid passage of the Amendment Bill without public hearings

“The Amendment Bill of Police Act, 2020 is flawed regarding the procedure followed by the National Assembly in passing it.

“If assented to by the President, this law could be nullified in a court of competent jurisdiction if challenged by us as patriotic Nigerians. 

“The police, as one of the pillars of democratic institutions, should not be manipulated by the personal ambitions of an individual who has exhausted all his possibilities in leading the Nigeria Police.

“Based on the foregoing, we urge the President to uphold the Oath of Office sworn upon becoming President of all Nigerians. According to the Oath of Office, ‘I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will’.

“We plead with the President to use his constitutional powers to save the Nigeria Police from internal conspiracy and disloyalty among officers, which may arise due to compromised career progression, especially at a time when our country is very fragile.

“The best decision for the President in this circumstance is to withhold his consent to the Amendment Bill of Police Act, 2020, passed by the National Assembly as it is self-serving and unpatriotic.”

Olaitan criticised Egbetokun’s performance, arguing that his continued leadership would not benefit the country.

“The record of performance of Mr Kayode Egbetokun is so abysmal that his continuation in office as the top police officer will be a disservice to the country,” he said.

“He has not demonstrated the capacity to run a modern police command structure in a diverse country like Nigeria. Simply, Mr. Egbetokun has been following the outdated practices of his predecessors.”

He urged the president to appoint of a new IGP or his organisation will head to court.

“The President has demonstrated strength of character in the recent seamless and noiseless succession plans for the Head of Service of the Federation and the Chief Justice of the Federation. We state that there should not be an exception for the police institution,” Olaitan said.