House of Commons Receives Constitutional Review Committee Report
The House of Commons has received the Select Committee on Constitutional Review’s report regarding a proposed amendment to establish a state-controlled police service. This significant development occurred on Tuesday, when Deputy Speaker Benjamin Carew, who also chairs the Constitutional Review Committee, formally presented the document during a plenary session, setting the stage for debate and detailed consideration by Members of Parliament (MPs).
Alignment with Senate Bills Following Executive Meeting
The report’s submission follows an executive meeting of the Constitutional Review Committee held on Monday, during which members worked to align the House’s position with the Senate’s proposed bill. This effort is part of an ongoing process aimed at significant constitutional reforms.
Proposed Amendments Aim to Enhance Police Framework
The proposed amendments seek to modify the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to establish a legal framework governing the creation, regulation, and operation of the National Police Service. This initiative indicates a potential shift toward devolving policing authority to state governments.
Next Steps in Parliamentary Procedure
In accordance with parliamentary procedures, the report will be discussed in the House of Commons on the next legislative day. The specific dates for the debate and clause-by-clause examination of the report will be determined by the House Rules and Business Committee, highlighting the structured approach to legislative review.
Heightened Attention on Decentralization of Police Forces
This proposal has garnered considerable attention, particularly from state governments, security experts, and civil society organizations advocating for the decentralization of police forces in response to the escalating security challenges facing the nation. Supporters argue that establishing a state police would improve local intelligence gathering, enhance community security, and facilitate quicker responses to security threats. However, detractors voice concerns over potential abuses of power by local governments and underscore the necessity for robust constitutional safeguards.
Approval of Police Trust Fund Budgets
In a related matter, the House adopted the Police Affairs Committee’s report, which includes budget estimates for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for 2025 and 2026. The report was prepared by Committee Chairman Abubakar Yelman and subsequently approved by the Committee on Supply, chaired by Deputy Speaker Kalu.
Significant Funding Increases for Police Force
For the financial year 2025, a budget of N170.11 billion has been approved for the Police Trust Fund. This includes N27.29 billion allocated for the capital expenditure of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Headquarters and N132.45 billion designated for capital projects of the Nigeria Police Force. Additionally, the 2025 budget incorporates N1.82 billion for personnel costs and N8.54 billion for miscellaneous expenses.
2026 Financial Year Allocation and Purpose of the Trust Fund
Furthermore, lawmakers approved a total budget of N233.96 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for 2026. This allocation consists of N43.78 billion for capital expenditures at the Headquarters and N179.11 billion for capital projects of the Nigeria Police Force, alongside N1.86 billion for personnel costs and N9.21 billion for miscellaneous expenses. The Trust Fund, established under the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, aims to provide supplementary funding for police training, equipment, logistics, and welfare, thereby enhancing the overall operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to bolster internal security.
