Abuja: The Steering Committee on the establishment of State Police Service (SPS) has proposed a strong and multi-layered oversight that would withstand political interference and pressure in the establishment of the SPS. The committee aims to ensure that the State Police Service serves the community effectively without succumbing to political influences.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the committee, chaired by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, emphasized the importance of robust, independent, multi-layered accountability as a critical structural safeguard. The committee’s report, made available to the public, highlighted that political pressure is inevitable in the establishment of the SPS. It stressed that a single oversight body could be vulnerable to capture, hence the need for overlapping and mutually reinforcing lines of accountability to prevent systematic abuse.
The report further elaborated that a robust oversight mechanism would be the foundation of public trust, essential for effective policing. An unaccountable SPS, it warned, could rapidly become a feared and distrusted institution, leading to diminished operational effectiveness. The committee’s experience illustrated the devastating consequences of insufficient oversight for institutional credibility.
The proposed establishment includes creating State Police Service Commissions (SPSC) in each state as independent constitutional bodies. These commissions would be chaired by a retired judge, a retired senior police officer, or a senior legal academic. Additionally, the commission should include two members with expertise in public administration, one member from civil society with a human rights background, a representative from the state’s traditional rulers’ council, a women’s rights advocate, and a youth representative under the age of 35.
Members of the commission would be appointed by the governor of the state and confirmed by the State House of Assembly for a four-year tenure. The SPSC would have the authority to appoint, confirm, and promote all SPS members and serve as the disciplinary authority over officers, with powers to demote, suspend, and dismiss. The commission would also review and approve the state police budget before submission to the State House of Assembly and oversee performance data, use of force, arrests, prosecutions, complaints, and custody conditions through quarterly and annual reports.
The publication of an annual report on the State Police Service’s performance and compliance, made publicly available, would be another key responsibility of the commission. The comprehensive oversight framework aims to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the State Police Service, ensuring it operates in the best interest of the communities it serves.