As the clamour for state police gains momentum and it appears the President is also set to throw his weight behind the idea, a notable lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria has  aired his thoughts on the President’s  decision.

Senior advocate of Nigeria and rights activist, Femi Falana, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot single-handedly approve establishment of State and Local Government Areas police.

In a brief statement in reaction to the recommendation of the Presidential panel on election reforms, Falana declared that the issue of establishing state police is a constitutional matter.

He said President Buhari cannot decide on it.

The senior lawyer said without going through the National Assembly for amendment of the Constitution, whatever decision unilaterally made by Buhari would not work.

“Issue of state police is a constitutional one; there must be an amendment of the constitution in order for the president to approve the recommendation of the National Human Rights Commission.

“The president cannot single-handedly give approval for the establishment of state police,” he said.

 

 

Related… Buhari Has Not Approved State Police – Garba Shehu Declares

The presidency, Monday evening, said that President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved State and Local Government Police.

His spokesman, Garba Shehu, in a statement said Buhari only received a report on the reform of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

It said the President requested that the report be studied and a white paper produced within three months.

“President Buhari’s specific directive is that a three-man panel be set up to produce the white paper.

“The report of the white paper committee will form the basis of the decisions of the government on the many recommendations, including the setting up of state and local government police made by the Ojukwu panel.

“Until a white paper is produced, it will be premature and pre-emptive to suggest that the recommendations contained in the report have been approved by the President in part or whole”, the statement added.

Source: Daily Post

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