Rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana said the 1999 Constitution must first be amended before the government can implement the recommendation on state or local government police.
Falana made the statement in reaction to President Muhammadu Buhari’s acceptance of a report recommending the establishment of state and local government police.
The recommendation was contained the report submitted to the President at the State House, Abuja, by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Presidential Special Panel on Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Reforms.
He said that without going through the National Assembly, a single-handed implementation by the President would be null and void.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu clarified President Buhari’s position on the recommendation.
He said that the President’s specific directive was that a three-man panel be set up to produce the white paper.
The statement reads: “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.”
Falana words: “State police is a constitutional issue; there must be an amendment of the constitution in order for the President to approve the recommendation of the National Human Rights Commission.”
Meanwhile, SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said, “What I see in it is that whatever concerns and affects us as a country must be addressed and treated frontally. We have been having security problems and they seem not to go hastily.
“And that is why I think the directive of the President to the IG to solve the security problems must be taken seriously. What must happen is that the three-month ultimatum given to the IG must be adhered strictly to, for effective results.”