The House of Representatives is considering a bill to amend the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, aimed at regulating the assignment of police officers as orderlies to high-ranking government officials, with the goal of preventing misuse of this practice.
The bill, introduced by Wale Raji, the lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency in Lagos State, seeks to impose limits on the duration of such assignments and ensure that officers return to their core duties after a specified period.
A copy of the bill, obtained exclusively by *The PUNCH*, proposes changes to Section 18 of the Nigeria Police Act by adding new subsections (12 to 17). These subsections outline the officials entitled to police orderlies and set clear limits on the duration of their assignments.
According to the proposed amendment, Subsection 12 states that only certain public officials, including the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of Nigeria, state governors, deputy governors, principal officers of the National and State Assemblies, and local government chairmen, will be entitled to police orderlies as designated by the Inspector General of Police.
The bill introduces a three-year limit for officers serving as orderlies to elected officials, after which they must return to their police divisions for reassignment and further training. Furthermore, these officers will not be eligible for similar duties for at least five years.
An exception will apply to officers assigned to the President, Vice President, state governors, and principal officers of the National and State Assemblies, who may remain in their roles for the entire tenure of the official they serve.
To ensure compliance, the bill proposes penalties for any police officer who violates these rules or aids in any breach, with disciplinary actions outlined under the Police Service Rules.
The explanatory memorandum of the bill aims to reduce the misuse of police personnel attached to VIPs, while enhancing the efficiency, professionalism, and integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.
The bill is expected to be debated further in the House of Representatives in the coming weeks.
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