Dr Monday Ubani Sounds Alarm on State Police Bill

Dr Monday Ubani, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has expressed reservations about the state police bill, citing concerns over potential abuses by governors.

In an interview on Arise TV, Ubani mentioned that, "the fear of everyone, including those who were hit by this news, is the issue of abuse by the state governors. We have seen what has happened over the time with how power corrupts, absolute power corrupts, when given to these state governors and we are very afraid of that."

The bill in question is aimed at decentralizing the policing system in Nigeria by establishing state police. While Ubani commended the government for taking steps towards decentralizing the policing architecture, he emphasized the need for effective mechanisms to prevent abuse of power.

"If it still remains in the hands of the governor to appoint the commissioner of police, I don’t know how it is going to work, in terms of reducing the abusive system that may likely occur with regard to appointment because who pays the piper dictates the tune. My own suggestion would have been, and I did, suggest that it is the state police service commission that should actually be the one to appoint whoever is going to be the state commissioner of police."

Ubani's comments highlight the delicate balance between decentralizing power and ensuring accountability in the policing system. The state police bill has the potential to revolutionize the way law enforcement operates in Nigeria, but it also raises concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of governors.

The interview also touched on the importance of local government in the context of security. Ubani emphasized the need for functional local governments to effectively implement state policing.

"Without a functional local government, and I am saying it here to the entire nation, no matter the level of architecture of security you provide in the country, you will not be able to get that expected and effective security of lives and property," he stated.

The Nigerian Angle: The state police bill has significant implications for Nigeria's security architecture, with the potential to address longstanding issues of corruption and abuse of power in the policing system. The country has grappled with these challenges for years, and the bill offers a unique opportunity to reform the system.

### Background on the Policing System

Nigeria has a long history of centralizing power in the hands of the federal government. The state police bill is part of an effort to decentralize the policing system, with the aim of improving security and reducing the concentration of power. However, critics argue that this may lead to abuse of power by governors.

### A Functional Local Government is Key to Success

Ubani's emphasis on the importance of local government in the context of security is well-founded. Functional local governments can effectively implement state policing and ensure that security personnel are accountable to the people they serve.

### The Challenge of Implementing the State Police Bill

The state police bill faces significant challenges, including the risk of abuse of power by governors. However, the bill also provides a unique opportunity to reform the policing system and address longstanding issues of corruption and abuse of power.

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely," Ubani cautioned. "We are very afraid of that happening with the state governors."

The implementation of the state police bill will be a complex and challenging process, requiring careful attention to the concerns raised by Ubani and other critics. However, with a functional local government and effective mechanisms to prevent abuse of power, the bill has the potential to revolutionize the way law enforcement operates in Nigeria.