Stakeholders hold town hall meeting on human rights, Police Act 2020

Stakeholders have converged in Enugu State capital for a two-day town hall meeting on human rights, the Police Act 2020 and Regulations Agenda with a call for more advancement of reforms in the Nigeria Police.

The workshop organised by the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) had participants drawn from the media, civil society groups and related professionals in the five states of the South East geo-political zone of the country.

Presenting a summary of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr. Okey Nwanguma, said the Nigerian Police Act, 2020 was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on September 15, 2020 to repeal the Police Cap P19 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Nwanguma said: “The Act is the first ever comprehensive revision of the Police Act since its original enactment in 1943. The Acts seeks to provide for an effective and efficient Nigerian Police service that complies with principles of accountability and transparency and protects the human rights and fundamental freedom of Nigerians.”

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A security and peace-building specialist, Mr. Bashiru Olasupo, in further explaining the Act, noted that on issues of policy, organisation, and administration of the police, establishment, and other financial matters, except pensions, these would be acted upon based on the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police.

Olasupo who is also a consultant to PWAN on Police Reforms, said: “In carrying out their powers, the police are required to uphold the provisions of the constitution and other laws, uphold and protect the fundamental rights of all persons regardless of their economic status, religious, ethnic or political beliefs or affiliations.”

Executive Director, PWAN, ‘Kemi Okenyodo, had in an acknowledgement of the summary of the Police Act, 2020, noted that historically, Nigeria had faced “systemic issues in its policing, characterised by allegations of corruption, misuse of power, and a significant disconnect between police operations and community expectations.”

According to her, the problems had been exacerbated by a lack of comprehensive understanding and inconsistent implementation of policing laws arming the officers and management of the NPF.

Other factors, she said were lack of awareness and training of police officers and officials on the changes introduced by the Police Act 2020; inconsistent application of the police regulations leading to inconsistent in law enforcement, poor enforcement of regulations and lack of professional conduct have eroded public trust in the police.

Earlier in her welcome address, Nkem Okereke of PWAN, urged the participants to come up with useful recommendations to help strengthen the police reforms in the country.

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