National Assembly Sends State Policing Bill to States

The National Assembly of Nigeria has transmitted the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration, with a focus on establishing a constitutional framework for state police. This transmission, executed on September 16 by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, requires at least 24 state assemblies to approve the bill for further progress.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, constitutional alteration necessitates participation from state legislatures. Ogunlana urged the state assemblies to deliberate on the bill and communicate their resolutions within a 30-day administrative window, although this period is not a constitutional deadline.

The State Police Bill has gained significant attention, having been approved by both chambers of the National Assembly, with the Senate passing it in June and the House of Representatives in July. This proposal aims to create a constitutional basis for state police services alongside the federal police structure.