REPORTER: NDU CHRIS NWANNAH
A former Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Ozo Keluo Molokwu says the State Police Bill is a beautiful decision aimed at improving the national security architecture.
Ozo Molokwu, who stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Awka, however, cautioned against its abuse by State Governors, when passed into law.
The former legislator, who represented Awka South 1 Constituency from 1999 to 2007, noted that the State Police Bill was acceptable to many citizens, stressing that their fears revolve around the powers to be conferred on Governors.
Ozo Molokwu explained the need to insert a clause establishing the Department of Homeland Security in the bill, saying that such would ultimately reduce the powers to be wielded by State Governors.
He charged State Legislators to carry out a thorough review of the bill as harmonized by the National Assembly by engaging professionals and critical stakeholders, instead of allowing the Governors to dictate to them on the clauses to be retained.
He further suggested that a clause should be inserted in the bill, empowering the State Police Service Commissions to appoint Commissioners of Police across the states of the federation.
Ozo Molokwu, insisted that the bill shall outline how such State Police Service Commissions should be independently constituted to guard against interference from State Governors.
The State Police Bill seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as the Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026.
It was passed by the National Assembly, removing policing from the Executive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, thereby authorizing states to establish, operate and fund their own police services, to exist alongside the Nigeria Police.
The Bill has been transmitted to the 36 States Houses of Assembly in the country for their inputs as required by the constitution for an alteration to occur.
Section 9, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution, requires 24 of the 36 States Houses of Assembly to consent to the amendment for it to be passed into law by the National Assembly.
The Bill had already been adopted by some States Houses of Assembly.
