Two lawyers, Justice Osai Ahiakwo and Sir Leonard Anyogo, have applauded the recent move by President Bola Tinubu toward establishing State police to further bolster the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.
In separate interviews, constitutional lawyer, Anyogo who is director general of Good Governance Advocacy International, GGIA, said, “We need community policing with robust institutional frameworks of accountability and checks and balances. State police is highly desirable.”
But he called for the establishment of an independent commission charged with the responsibility of recruiting, promotion and discipline of such establishments.
Anyogo said they believe in the importance of a strong institutions and especially the judiciary to checkmate excesses of such establishment of community policing.
On his part, public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, said Nigeria cannot run away from establishing state police but insisted it must come with constitutional reforms and strict limits on governors’ powers. In an exclusive interview, Ahiakwo said insecurity will persist unless its root causes are addressed alongside a policing system designed to fight crime effectively.
He stressed that transparent elections and accountable leadership are critical to preventing abuse of security structures.
“My worry is the display of absolute power by some governors, often aided by the federal government. Giving them control of state police without checks will deepen lawlessness,” he warned.
Citing Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution, which recognizes only one national police force, Ahiakwo argued for a holistic review to define the roles of federal and state police.
He said police matters should be placed on the concurrent legislative list to allow states some control.
On funding, he expressed doubt that governors would manage state police responsibly, pointing to widespread mismanagement of allocations from the Federation Account.
“Almost all the states are intoxicated with absolute power,” he noted.
Ahiakwo also urged the amendment of Section 308, which grants immunity to governors and their deputies. Removing such cover, he argued, would curb impunity and prevent state police from being used against political opponents.
“This will reduce abuse of power and make it possible to prosecute erring governors and deputies,” he added.
