Senate Passes Bill To Ensure Uninterrupted Tenure Of IGPs

The Senate has passed a bill to ensure the tenure of  Inspector-General of Police  runs till the end of the tenure as  stipulated in the letter of appointment.
The bill is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Police Act and for Other Related Matters.” got an accelerated passage following a mild  debate on the general principles of the  executive bill  sponsored by the Senate Majority Leader , Senator Bamidele Opeyemi. The bill was read for the first time on same day .
Presenting the bill , the Majority Leader said  the bill sought to enable a person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.
“The bill aims to revolutionise police operation by enhancing accountability, modernising policing method and fostering a more harmonious relationship between the police and the community”, he said .
Contributing to the debate, ,former President of the Senate , Senator Ahmad Lawan  ( Yobe North ) urged his colleagues to exercise caution on the amendment to avoid  creating IGPs who may abuse the office relying on the provisions of the Act if signed into law . He also advised that the bill be stepped down for further consultations.
Sen. Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) in his contribution  said,  “What this Senate is being invited to endorse is that by this appointment if passed, the person will stay in office for 10 years.
“This Senate should rather think of a holistic review of the Police Act aimed at strengthening the institution and insulating it from political pressures.
“We should elevate the office of the Inspector-General to a level of Justices of the Supreme Court.”
However , Deputy  President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, said that there was no ambiguity in the intendment of the bill.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio,  thereafter  called for a voice vote. The bill was read a third time and was passed.

Nneka Amaechi -Nnadi