NPF: Akpabio, Makinde, Ribadu, others advocate strengthening of accountability frameworks for best practices

By Oluseye Ojo

 

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, National Secretary Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Police Service Commission (PSC), and other strategic stakeholders came together on Tuesday and made a strong case for strengthening of accountability frameworks for best practices in the Nigeria Police Force.

The critical stakeholders made the disclosure during the opening of a two-day retreat, with the theme: ‘Civilian Oversight in Nigeria, organised by the Police Service Commission (PSC) with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), towards supporting police reform processes in Nigeria project.

Akpabio, who was represented by Senator Amos Yohanna, who also stood in for the Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abdulhamid Madori, noted that civilian oversight of the police is an indispensable mechanism for promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement institutions.

“In the context of Nigeria, where the relationship between the police and the public has often been fraught with tension, effective civilian oversight is not merely desirable but essential. Civilian oversight in Nigeria represents a critical step towards reforming the police sector and rebuilding public trust.

“By strengthening the capacity of oversight bodies, fostering accountability within the police, and encouraging public participation, Nigeria can create a law
enforcement system that is transparent, accountable, and respected by the citizens it serves,” Akpabio said.

Governor Makinde who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Adebayo Lawal, in declaring the retreat open, made a strong case for improved funding of the police by the Federal Government. He added that oversight by citizens over the police should not be limited to correcting corruption alone, it should also focus on using international best practices, including the use of powerful technologies to monitor and fight crime.

He said it is illegal for policemen to stand by roadsides and be checking laptops and phones of citizens. He asked all policemen and citizens to avail themselves with the constitutional provisions on human rights and the Police Act 2020 to know the powers donated by the constitution to the police.

The NSA), Ribadu, who was represented by a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Emmanuel Effiom, noted that the country “stands at a critical juncture, poised for transformation in alignment with global best practices of accountable policing and responsibility. All hands must, therefore, be on deck to ensure the realisation of this vital project.

Deputy President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, representing the union at the retreat, described the programme as timely “because our roles as journalists include sensitising and setting agenda for the government. In this case, the most important thing is to set agenda for the PSC on the way it can fully implement accountability framework, which is a system that is going to be used for rewards and punishment of any police officer found wanting.”

The Director Overseeing Office of Permanent Secretary at the Police Service Commission, Abubakar Malumfashi, who spoke on behalf of the commission, was optimistic that the retreat would produce accountability framework that would be for the betterment of all and sundry.

The UNDP Programme Specialist, Rule of Law and Human Rights, Idanwenhor Enayaba, emphasised the importance of police reforms, inclusiveness, and accountability. He called on police officers to adhere to professional standards and gain the trust of the public, while also highlighting the need for effective accountability and police oversight to enhance public safety and trust