Senate passes bill seeking to extend IGP’s tenure

The Senate has passed an amendment bill aimed at allowing the Inspector-General of Police to serve until the end of the term specified in their appointment letter.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Police Act and for Related Matters (SB. 551),” was presented by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader representing APC, Ekiti Central.

The Executive bill forwarded to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu yesterday in a letter to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was first presented for first reading, then scaled second reading and was read the third time and passed.

In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, Senator Bamidele said, “Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues, I humbly rise to lead the debate on the general principles of this Bill.

“The Bill was read for the First Time today, 23rd July, 2024.

“Mr. President, my dear Colleagues, this Act seeks to enable a person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.

“The Bill aims to revolutionize police operation by enhancing accountability, modernizing policing method and fostering a more harmonious relationship between the police and the community.”

“Accordingly, I hereby urge you all to support the quick passage.

In the Provisions of the bill which is Amendment of the Nigeria Police Act and after a Committee of the whole, the Senate retained the following: ” The Nigeria Police Act, 2020 (“Principal Act”) is amended as set out in this Bill.

“Amendment of Section 18. Section 18 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting a new subsection (8A);

“(8A) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of section 7(6) of this Act.”