Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has commended President Bola Tinubu for forwarding a Bill to the National Assembly to amend Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution and establish state police.
In a letter posted on his X handle, Agbakoba described the move as a “welcome development” that could enhance public security and bring policing closer to communities.
He, however, warned that devolution without institutional protection could fail, citing State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments as examples of bodies “captured by state executives and rendered ineffective.”
The SAN urged the Federal Government to adopt South Africa’s Chapter 9 model, which constitutionally insulates independent institutions from executive interference. He listed the Nigeria Police Force, INEC, EFCC, ICPC, CBN, and the NJC among institutions that should be protected.
Agbakoba recommended an interlocking appointment process for state police heads involving the Police Service Commission, the Governor, and the State House of Assembly, to prevent politicisation.
“If state police are simply handed to governors without these protections, they will inevitably become tools of oppression,” he said.
Agbakoba Backs State Police, Seeks Constitutional Safeguards
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