A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has endorsed the proposed introduction of state police but warned that the reform could fail unless law enforcement agencies are constitutionally insulated from executive interference.In an open letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Agbakoba commended President Bola Tinubu for transmitting to the National Assembly an executive bill seeking to amend Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for state police.“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 said in the letter dated June 26 shared on his X handle on Tuesday.Agbakoba, however, argued that the proposed reform should be accompanied by broader constitutional changes that would protect public institutions from political control.He said the creation of state police also presented an opportunity to devolve additional responsibilities to state governments, including the issuance of driver’s licences, prison administration, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation and business name registration.“Having devolved policing, is it not time to consider further technical devolutions such as drivers’ licences, prisons, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation, registration of business names, and all other matters best suited for states and local governments, so as to relieve the federal government of responsibilities that can be more efficiently managed at the subnational level?” he asked.The senior lawyer cautioned that state police could suffer the same fate as State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments if they were left under the control of state governors.“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. In an open letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Agbakoba commended President Bola Tinubu for transmitting to the National Assembly an executive bill seeking to amend Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for state police.“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 said in the letter dated June 26 shared on his X handle on Tuesday.Agbakoba, however, argued that the proposed reform should be accompanied by broader constitutional changes that would protect public institutions from political control.He said the creation of state police also presented an opportunity to devolve additional responsibilities to state governments, including the issuance of driver’s licences, prison administration, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation and business name registration.“Having devolved policing, is it not time to consider further technical devolutions such as drivers’ licences, prisons, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation, registration of business names, and all other matters best suited for states and local governments, so as to relieve the federal government of responsibilities that can be more efficiently managed at the subnational level?” he asked.The senior lawyer cautioned that state police could suffer the same fate as State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments if they were left under the control of state governors.“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. “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 said in the letter dated June 26 shared on his X handle on Tuesday.Agbakoba, however, argued that the proposed reform should be accompanied by broader constitutional changes that would protect public institutions from political control.He said the creation of state police also presented an opportunity to devolve additional responsibilities to state governments, including the issuance of driver’s licences, prison administration, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation and business name registration.“Having devolved policing, is it not time to consider further technical devolutions such as drivers’ licences, prisons, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation, registration of business names, and all other matters best suited for states and local governments, so as to relieve the federal government of responsibilities that can be more efficiently managed at the subnational level?” he asked.The senior lawyer cautioned that state police could suffer the same fate as State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments if they were left under the control of state governors.“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. “This is a welcome development that will, if properly implemented, enhance public security and bring law enforcement closer to the communities it serves,” he said in the letter dated June 26 shared on his X handle on Tuesday.Agbakoba, however, argued that the proposed reform should be accompanied by broader constitutional changes that would protect public institutions from political control.He said the creation of state police also presented an opportunity to devolve additional responsibilities to state governments, including the issuance of driver’s licences, prison administration, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation and business name registration.“Having devolved policing, is it not time to consider further technical devolutions such as drivers’ licences, prisons, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation, registration of business names, and all other matters best suited for states and local governments, so as to relieve the federal government of responsibilities that can be more efficiently managed at the subnational level?” he asked.The senior lawyer cautioned that state police could suffer the same fate as State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments if they were left under the control of state governors.“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. Agbakoba, however, argued that the proposed reform should be accompanied by broader constitutional changes that would protect public institutions from political control.He said the creation of state police also presented an opportunity to devolve additional responsibilities to state governments, including the issuance of driver’s licences, prison administration, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation and business name registration.“Having devolved policing, is it not time to consider further technical devolutions such as drivers’ licences, prisons, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation, registration of business names, and all other matters best suited for states and local governments, so as to relieve the federal government of responsibilities that can be more efficiently managed at the subnational level?” he asked.The senior lawyer cautioned that state police could suffer the same fate as State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments if they were left under the control of state governors.“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. He said the creation of state police also presented an opportunity to devolve additional responsibilities to state governments, including the issuance of driver’s licences, prison administration, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation and business name registration.“Having devolved policing, is it not time to consider further technical devolutions such as drivers’ licences, prisons, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation, registration of business names, and all other matters best suited for states and local governments, so as to relieve the federal government of responsibilities that can be more efficiently managed at the subnational level?” he asked.The senior lawyer cautioned that state police could suffer the same fate as State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments if they were left under the control of state governors.“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. “Having devolved policing, is it not time to consider further technical devolutions such as drivers’ licences, prisons, marriage registration, arbitration, trade regulation, registration of business names, and all other matters best suited for states and local governments, so as to relieve the federal government of responsibilities that can be more efficiently managed at the subnational level?” he asked.The senior lawyer cautioned that state police could suffer the same fate as State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments if they were left under the control of state governors.“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. The senior lawyer cautioned that state police could suffer the same fate as State Independent Electoral Commissions and local governments if they were left under the control of state governors.“Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. “Devolution without institutional protection is reform in name only, and history has shown that where institutions lack genuine constitutional protection, they inevitably become instruments of executive power rather than servants of the people and the Constitution,” he stated.Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. Agbakoba urged Nigeria to adopt a constitutional framework similar to that of South Africa, where independent institutions derive their autonomy directly from the constitution, enjoy security of tenure and guaranteed funding, and are accountable to the legislature rather than the executive.Related NewsOyebanji advocates practical reforms to strengthen LG financesSoldiers rescue six kidnap victims in KatsinaObi questions leaders’ ‘sound mind’ after filling INEC nomination formAccording to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. According to him, key institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the Attorney General, the Accountant General, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, should be insulated from executive control.“These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. “These institutions should enjoy security of tenure, their funding should be a direct charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and their accountability should be under the supervision of the National Assembly or the State Houses of Assembly and not the President or any Governor,” he said.Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. Agbakoba also proposed a shared appointment and removal process for state police leadership to prevent political interference.Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. Under his proposal, the Police Service Commission would recommend qualified candidates, the governor would appoint them, while the State House of Assembly would confirm the appointments. He said the same tripartite arrangement should apply to removals.“This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. “This architecture of shared constitutional responsibility is the surest guarantee against executive capture and the politicisation of law enforcement,” he said.He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. He warned that establishing state police without constitutional safeguards would undermine the objective of the reform.“If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. “If the proposed state police framework is built on this constitutional architecture of independence and accountability, it is a welcome and progressive development. If not, 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,” Agbakoba said.He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. He urged the Federal Government to give serious consideration to the constitutional reforms outlined in his submission as deliberations on the state police bill continue.PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. PUNCH Online reports that the Senate passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors. Although the passage has been welcomed by many stakeholders, including the speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, some groups have raised concerns that it could worsen insecurity and lead to abuse of state police by governors.