Last week’s passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, by the National Assembly has continued to generate debate, with Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba, backing the proposal while warning that state police could become “tools of oppression” if they are not shielded from political interference.
The bill, passed by the House of Representatives on June 11 and the Senate on June 24, seeks to amend Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to establish a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and State Police Services.
In a letter dated June 26 to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, titled “Beyond State Police: Why Nigeria Must Constitutionally Insulate Its Institutions from Executive Interference,” Agbakoba described the proposed reform as a welcome development capable of improving public security.
“I commend the President for transmitting to the National Assembly an executive Bill proposing the amendment of Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to introduce the long-awaited state police. This is a welcome development that will, if properly implemented, enhance public security and bring law enforcement closer to the communities it serves,” he wrote.
READ ALSO: State Police Will Fail If Built On Thugs, Party Loyalists, Vigilantes – Ex-AIG
The former Nigerian Bar Association president, however, argued that devolving policing powers should be accompanied by constitutional reforms that transfer additional responsibilities, including driver’s licences, prisons, marriage registration, and business name registration, to states and local governments.
Agbakoba warned that without constitutional safeguards, state police could suffer the same fate as state independent electoral commissions and local governments, which he said had been weakened by executive control.
“If state police are simply handed to governors without these protections, they will inevitably become tools of oppression, and Nigeria will have traded one problem for a far worse one,” he stated.
Drawing from South Africa’s constitutional framework, Agbakoba urged the Federal Government to grant key institutions, including the police, electoral bodies and anti-corruption agencies, constitutional independence through secure tenure, guaranteed funding and accountability to the legislature rather than the executive.
He also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership, with the Police Service Commission recommending candidates, governors making appointments and State Houses of Assembly confirming them.
The Senate had defended the passage of the bill, insisting it is a response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges rather than a politically motivated initiative.
The bill also provides safeguards, including legislative confirmation of state police commissioners and oversight by State Police Service Commissions.
The proposed constitutional amendment has now been transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, where it requires approval by at least 24 legislatures before it can be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for presidential assent.
If ratified, the legislation will establish a dual policing structure.
The post Agbakoba Backs State Police Bill, Says Control Without Safeguards Will Become ‘Tools Of Oppression’ appeared first on Channels Television.
