Henry Okonkwo
The National Assembly has been urged to give urgent attention to the Police Reform Bill (PRB) and ensure its passage before the end of the current legislative calendar.
This call came from the Network of Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) during a press conference held recently in Ikeja, Lagos state.
According to NOPRIN’s national coordinator, Mr Okey Nwanguma, the speedy passage of the act has become necessary following increasing challenges bedeviling the Police Force, and worrisome trend of corrupt practices and unethical conducts among men and officers of the force.
Nwanguma argued that passage of the PRB would provide a legal framework to drive the police reform. He hinted that the bill raised and provided solutions to many of the problems plaguing the police. “Our police still operates on the colonial culture of violence and corruption, and no reform has been carried out to address that. Since 1943, there has been no progress to review the PRB. That’s why we call on the Police and the executive to work with the National Assembly to ensure quick passage of the bill. We also urge civil societies and the media to lead the charge in pushing for the passage of the bill. And the president should assent to the bill when passed, as evidence of genuine commitment to police reform.”
The PRB having gone through public hearing on December 5th, was passed to the Committee Stage where it would be harmonized before its presentation to the general house for further deliberation and passage.
Speaking further, Nwanguma gave reasons why corruption has remained endemic within the police force. “Our officers excuse their misconduct on neglect and poor welfare condition, abysmal working and living conditions. And this Bill will take care of this problems.”