The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, Mr. Nnadubem Moghalu, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not directed what specific provisions should be contained in the proposed National Policing Bill, stressing that the legislation is being developed through an inclusive consultation process involving experts, state governments and members of the public.

Moghalu, who also serves as Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, said the President’s primary interest is to ensure that Nigeria develops a practical and effective policing framework capable of supporting the country’s evolving security architecture. Blueprint reports

He made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television on Monday amid ongoing discussions surrounding the implementation of state policing following recent constitutional amendments.

No executive directive on bill

Responding to questions on whether President Tinubu had outlined the contents of the proposed legislation, Moghalu said the President had deliberately refrained from dictating what should be included in the bill.

According to him, the ongoing exercise is designed to produce a legal framework that reflects broad national consensus and addresses the practical realities of policing across the country.

“The President has not dictated to us specifics of what will go into the National Policing Bill.

“What we have now is a desire to build something that will be implementable and will work for all Nigerians,” he said.

He explained that the working group was focusing on developing legislation capable of strengthening public safety while providing clear legal guidance for the operation of both federal and state police institutions.

Building on constitutional amendment

Moghalu noted that the recently passed constitutional amendment establishing a dual policing structure merely provides the legal foundation for federal and state police.

According to him, the proposed National Policing Bill is intended to provide the operational framework necessary for implementing the constitutional provisions.

“The constitutional amendment that has passed in the National Assembly provides the framework architecture, the bare bones, as it were, and the National Policing Bill will put some flesh on those bones,” he said.

He explained that while the Constitution establishes the legal basis for state policing, detailed legislation is required to define how the new policing arrangement will function in practice.

Operational issues to be addressed

The presidential aide said the working group is examining several critical issues that will determine the effectiveness of the proposed policing system.

These include funding mechanisms, recruitment procedures, training standards, personnel certification, command structure, operational jurisdiction and coordination between federal and state police organisations.

According to him, the legislation is also expected to establish mechanisms for resolving conflicts that may arise between different policing authorities.

He explained that one of the major objectives of the bill is to provide legal clarity on operational responsibilities in situations involving more than one state.

Cross-border crimes

Illustrating the need for clear operational guidelines, Moghalu cited the example of a criminal suspect fleeing from one state into another.

He said the law must specify the responsibilities of both state and federal police in such situations to prevent jurisdictional disputes.

“Imagine, for example, that a criminal is being chased from Anambra State, who has committed a crime in Anambra State, and he runs across the border into Enugu or into Kogi.

“In this dual system, what happens in that moment?

“Whatever answer you think is the correct answer in this situation, that answer has to be settled as a matter of law,” he said.

He noted that addressing such practical issues before implementation would help ensure seamless cooperation among law enforcement agencies across the federation.

Public participation encouraged

Moghalu disclosed that the Federal Government has opened a nationwide call for memoranda to enable Nigerians and relevant stakeholders contribute to the drafting of the legislation.

According to him, the working group has identified 17 thematic areas requiring public input.

The areas include national minimum policing standards, state readiness and certification, federal and state policing architecture, operational jurisdiction, inspection and compliance mechanisms, Police Service Commission structure and the establishment of state police services.

He said contributions from stakeholders would assist the working group in producing legislation that reflects Nigeria’s diverse security needs and institutional realities.

Experts to review draft

The presidential aide further disclosed that a 26-member Policy Advisory Committee has been constituted to review the draft bill before it is presented to the President.

He said the committee comprises representatives from the judiciary, academia, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and state Ministries of Justice.

According to him, the committee is chaired by retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Muhammad Abba Leman, who will oversee the review process to ensure the proposed legislation meets constitutional and operational requirements.

The committee, he explained, will scrutinise recommendations submitted by the working group before forwarding the final document to President Tinubu for consideration.

Call for national support

Moghalu urged Nigerians, professional organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to actively participate in the ongoing consultation process.

He noted that policing affects every Nigerian irrespective of social or economic status, making public participation essential to the success of the proposed reforms.

“If you are a Nigerian living in Nigeria today, it doesn’t matter whether you are wealthy, it doesn’t matter whether you are poor, it doesn’t matter whether you are educated or uneducated. At some point in your life, you will interact with the police,” he said.

Background

The proposed National Policing Bill forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to operationalise Nigeria’s emerging dual policing system following the constitutional amendment allowing states to establish their own police services.

Stakeholders have described the proposed legislation as a critical component of the reform process, as it is expected to define institutional responsibilities, operational standards and coordination mechanisms between federal and state policing authorities.

When enacted, the law is expected to provide the legal framework for implementing one of the country’s most significant policing reforms aimed at strengthening internal security, improving law enforcement efficiency and enhancing public safety across the federation.