State Houses of Assembly have begun considering the proposed State Police Bill transmitted to them by the National Assembly, with some approving the proposal, others setting up committees, while several are awaiting formal receipt of the document.
The National Assembly had on September 16 transmitted the bill, titled A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services; and for Related Matters, to the 36 state legislatures.
Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the transmission was in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The amendment requires the approval of at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly.
The state legislatures were requested to consider the bill and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly.
Although the Constitution does not prescribe a specific timeline, the National Assembly urged them to respond within 30 days.
Findings by our reporters showed that while some states had commenced consideration, others were preparing to do so when lawmakers reconvene, while a number of assemblies were yet to receive the bill.
