CURBING THE EXCESSES NIGERIA POLICE TO SAVE THE COUNTRY’S DEMOCRACY

Justice Helpline Foundation has over time observed with dismay the excesses of Nigeria Police in the performance of its duties and this is due to the enormity of its responsibilities in view of the indiscretions of a few bad eggs within its rank and file.
Events of the recent past in our democratic process have raised a lot of issues which is really a source of concern because of what it portend for our democracy.
It is obvious that in order to get things right in conformity with international best practices, the Police Act need urgent amendment. This is to correct flaws in the Act and make the implementation of the provisions of the Act less prone to manipulation and abuse.
The following proposed changes if effected in the Act will in our humble and informed view be of immense benefit to the Democratic process in the Country.
The duties of the Police should be restricted to crime prevention, detection, investigation after which the Justice Ministry will take over.

The implication of is the total removal of prosecutoral powers from the Police with same transferred to the Justice Ministry for effectiveness and efficiency
Aggressive recruitment of lawyers into the Justice Ministry in the States and at the Federal level.
Increasing the scope of work of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to take over certain duties presently engaged in by Police. This includes:

Security of political office holders and other Very Important Personalities (VIP)
Security of Bank premises and other related activities. Enactment and review of enabling laws to empower NSCDC license private security firms under stringent condition  to be armed for them to be contracted to provide security to individuals and Corporate bodies.

The aforementioned proposal was put together after a thorough appraisal of the challenges the Police currently face as a result of inadequate personnel in terms of numerical strength in a situation where the same Police is saddled with a plethora of statutory duties that has obviously overwhelmed it.
This has paved way for manipulation of the criminal justice administration system by unscrupulous individuals and groups to the detriment of the nation's democracy with negative consequences for the rule of law and the general wellbeing of Nigerians.
The National Assembly should as a matter of urgency put necessary machinery in motion to effect appropriate amendments to the Police Act.
Justice Helpline Foundation in accordance with its avowed commitment to the supremacy of the rule of law in the Country will relentlessly pursue every legitimate means to ensure every impunity and danger to our democracy is fought and defeated.
For now, the excesses of the Police epitomizes present and immediate danger to our democracy and all hands must be on deck to correct this obvious anomaly.

Signed
Barrister Ayo Desmond Jonathan
Director of Litigation,
Justice Helpline Foundation (JHF)