Breaking: Nigerian Reps Push For Strict Regulation Of Police Orderlies Assigned To Government Officials

The House of Representatives is currently reviewing a bill aimed at amending the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, to regulate the assignment of police officers as orderlies to high-ranking government officials and reduce the misuse of the practice.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The bill, introduced by Wale Raji, the lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency in Lagos State, seeks to limit the duration that officers can serve in such roles, ensuring their reassignment to core police duties after a specified time.

The proposed amendments to Section 18 of the Principal Act would add new subsections (12 to 17), which outline the government positions eligible for police orderlies and specify the duration of such assignments.

Who Is Eligible for Police Orderlies?

Subsection 12 clarifies 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, are entitled to police orderlies as determined by the Inspector General of Police.

The bill introduces a three-year cap on the duration police officers can serve as orderlies to elected officials. After this period, officers will be reassigned to their police divisions for other duties and training.

Additionally, officers will be ineligible for reassignment to similar roles for at least five years.

However, there is an exception for officers assigned to the President, Vice President, state governors, and principal officers of the National and State Assemblies, who may serve for the entire duration of the official’s tenure before being reassigned.

Penalties for Violations

To ensure adherence to these provisions, the bill proposes penalties for any police officer who violates or facilitates the violation of these rules. Such misconduct would be punishable under the Police Service Rules.

In its explanatory memorandum, the bill aims to curb the abuse of police personnel assigned to VIPs while enhancing the professionalism, efficiency, and dignity of the Nigeria Police Force.

The bill is expected to return to the House for further discussion in the coming weeks.