The House of Representatives is considering a bill to amend the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, to regulate the deployment of police officers as orderlies to top government officials and prevent abuse of the practice.
Sponsored by the lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Wale Raji, the bill seeks to limit the duration officers can serve in such roles and ensure their reassignment to core police duties after a specified period.
A copy of the bill, exclusively obtained by The PUNCH, proposes amendments to Section 18 of the Principal Act by introducing new subsections (12 to 17) that clearly define the offices entitled to police aides and the duration of such assignments.
Subsection 12 of the proposed amendment stipulates that only select public officials, including the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of Nigeria, state governors, deputy governors, and principal officers of the National and State Assemblies, as well as local government chairmen, shall be entitled to police orderlies as determined by the Inspector General of Police.
The bill introduces a three-year limit for police officers assigned as orderlies to elected officials, after which they must return to their police divisions for other duties and further training. Additionally, such officers will not be eligible for reassignment to similar roles for at least five years.
However, an exception is made for officers attached to the President, Vice President, state governors, and principal officers of the National and State Assemblies, who may serve throughout the official’s tenure before being reassigned.
To ensure compliance, the bill proposes penalties for any police officer who contravenes or aids the violation of these provisions, with misconduct punishable under the Police Service Rules.
In its explanatory memorandum, the bill seeks to curb the abuse of police personnel attached to VIPs while improving the efficiency, professionalism, and dignity of the Nigeria Police Force.
The proposed legislation is expected to return to the floor of the House for further debate in the coming weeks.