Cross River Assembly begins debate on state police bill

Cross River State House of Assembly has commenced consideration of the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish State Police Services across the 36 states of the federation.

The bill was transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly by the National Assembly.

It was titled: “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Establishment of State Police Services and for Related Matters in the 36 States of the Federation”.

The proposed amendment seeks to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the Federal Police Service.

The National Assembly also forwarded the relevant bill, votes and proceedings of both chambers, as well as other documents relating to the proposed constitutional alteration.

At plenary, members passed a motion for the correspondence to be called, received and laid on the table.

The House subsequently approved the bill as a working document for further consideration.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, said the proposal would undergo the normal legislative process, including consideration and debate, before the House takes a position.

The Assembly thereafter subjected the bill to First Reading, marking the commencement of its formal legislative consideration in the state.

The proposed amendment is part of the ongoing constitutional review process by the National Assembly aimed at considering the establishment of State Police in Nigeria.