₦airaland Forum

By Lawrence Oladotun

When the National Assembly began work on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill 2025—a proposal to establish state police—it was hailed as one of the most far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history.

On paper, the bill seeks to replace the centralised Nigeria Police Force with a dual structure: a Federal Police Service and State Police Services. For a country battling insecurity, this sounds like long-overdue progress.

But beneath the rhetoric of reform lies a familiar story of political self-interest, hypocrisy, and control—a reform designed to look revolutionary but built to fail.

The draft bill proposes sweeping amendments across the Constitution.

Sections 34, 35, 39 and 42—covering dignity, liberty, expression, and equality—will replace all references to the “Nigeria Police Force” with “Police or other Security Agencies established by law.”

Financial reforms are also included. Section 81 now lists the Federal Police Service as a direct beneficiary of statutory transfers, while Section 121 provides for state police to receive funding directly from state Consolidated Revenue Funds.

Section 214, which currently forbids the creation of any other police force, is to be repealed. The new version empowers states to establish their own police services under federal guidelines, while the Federal Police will retain control over interstate and national crimes.

It all seems progressive—until you read between the lines. The real issue is not what the bill promises, but what it preserves.

By placing policing on the Concurrent Legislative List, both the federal and state governments will share jurisdiction over law enforcement. That structure ensures that Abuja’s influence remains intact.

In contrast, under true federal systems like the United States, “police power” is exclusively a state prerogative. The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people, and policing falls squarely within that domain. The federal government runs its own agencies—like the FBI or DEA—but state police are fully created, controlled, and funded by the states.

“The Nigerian model is deceptive,” said a constitutional lawyer, Fatai Babatunde. “It decentralises on paper but centralises in practice. You cannot call it state police when Abuja still holds the purse and the power.”

It’s like handing the states a car, but keeping the key in Abuja.

Additionally, the fiscal structure of the bill betrays its contradictions.

Section 121 of the proposed amendment provides that state police services will receive direct funding from their respective state Consolidated Revenue Funds. Yet, Section 81 still places the Federal Police Service as a beneficiary of direct statutory transfers from the national Consolidated Revenue Fund—ensuring that federal oversight over security finances continues.

This means that the entire policing framework still depends on federal oversight and approval. Abuja retains power to issue guidelines, control training, and influence funding formulas.

By implication, any “state police” that emerges from this arrangement would remain tethered to the centre—financially and politically.

This financial entanglement ensures that the federal government remains a shadow over state policing, retaining control through budgetary dependence.

In essence, what Nigeria is crafting is not true decentralisation but a cosmetic reform designed to pacify the growing agitation for localised policing.

The politics of power and fear

Why are state governors—many of whom have long demanded state police—suddenly comfortable with this half-measure? The answer lies in political self-preservation.

A truly independent state police would empower local authorities to maintain law and order without interference. But it would also expose governors to greater accountability. It would bring scrutiny to the opaque “security votes” that have become permanent fixtures in state budgets—massive allocations often spent without audit or transparency.

To embrace full autonomy would mean inviting oversight. For many governors, that is an unacceptable cost.

So, rather than push for a police system they can truly control—and be held accountable for—they prefer the safer ambiguity of a concurrent structure that allows them to share the blame when things go wrong.

Thus, while the federal government refuses to relinquish control, state leaders quietly accept a compromised version of autonomy that keeps everyone’s interests intact—except the people’s.

The hypocrisy of the current reform echoes in the story of regional security outfits like Amotekun in the Southwest and Hisbah in the North.

When the late Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, championed the establishment of Amotekun to tackle rising insecurity, he faced resistance from the federal establishment and internal political interference. Despite its noble intentions, Amotekun has remained largely toothless—undermined by limited powers, political meddling, and federal resistance to any semblance of autonomy.

Similarly, northern Nigeria’s Hisbah Corps—a moral and security outfit—operates within the boundaries of state laws but without federal recognition or authority.

Both examples show that decentralisation in Nigeria is tolerated only when it does not challenge federal dominance.

Jurisdictional chaos looms

Beyond politics, the legal complications of this bill could be disastrous.

Nigeria already struggles with overlapping powers in land, road, and housing matters—where federal and state governments routinely clash over jurisdiction.

If policing follows the same path, Nigeria could see conflicting orders between federal and state police over arrests, prosecutions, or political rallies. Imagine a scenario where a governor’s order to a state police chief conflicts with a federal directive—the constitutional chaos would be profound.

The deeper question is whether this bill is about security at all.

From its language to its structure, it seems more concerned with political leverage than with solving insecurity. It preserves Abuja’s dominance while giving governors a symbolic victory.

It’s a compromise between two power blocs—not a reform for the people. You can’t fight insecurity with hypocrisy. Until leaders are willing to lose power to protect lives, no reform will work.

To make this reform meaningful, Nigeria must go beyond half-measures.

Policing should be moved from the Concurrent List to the Exclusive Legislative List of the states.

Funding must come from state treasuries, not Abuja.

Recruitment should be local and community-based.

Oversight should be transparent and independent of political interference.

The Federal Government should focus strictly on national crimes—terrorism, trafficking, and interstate security—leaving local policing to the states and communities that understand their own realities.

Anything short of that is a deception—a continuation of the same centralised dysfunction dressed up as reform.

The Yoruba have a saying: “You cannot offer someone a ram and still hold on to its rope.”

That proverb perfectly describes Nigeria’s State Police Bill—an offer laced with control, a promise buried under politics. The federal government dangles reform before the people but refuses to let go of control. The state governors, fearful of accountability, nod in quiet agreement.

The result is a policy trapped between promise and pretense—an illusion of progress that could deepen the very insecurity it claims to cure.

Until Nigeria learns that security begins with true autonomy and honest intent, every new reform—no matter how well drafted—will remain another victim of the nation’s greatest enemy: self-interest.

The tragedy is that while politicians negotiate control, ordinary Nigerians continue to pay the price—with their lives.

https://lagosstreetjournal.ng/analysis-state-police-bill-and-the-hypocrisy-of-self-interest/

The management of Access Bank Plc has denied reports that the bank is closing 300 of its branches in Nigeria and downsized its workforce by 75%.

This was contain in a statement signed by the bank on Sunday, and made available to the media.

The statement read in part that "the attention of Access Bank Plc (‘The Bank’) has been drawn to rumours circulating in the news media that the Bank is closing over 300 of its branches in Nigeria and downsizing its workforce by 75%.
These rumours have justifiably raised concerns among the Bank’s stakeholders including employees, customers, shareholders and the general public."

"As a responsible corporate citizen, we wish to inform our esteemed stakeholders as follows:"

"That the closure of a bank branch is an action that requires the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank has not applied nor obtained the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (‘the CBN’) for the closure of any of its branches as widely speculated. The Bank has only suspended operations in some branches following the directive by the CBN."

"At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, we suspended in-branch operations at different locations as directed by the CBN and in line with business continuity plans at vulnerable spots, whilst we continued provide services through our alternative digital platforms. Beyond complying with the regulatory directive, this action was taken to ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees."

"In line with the phased re-opening of the economy effective May 4, 2020 following the Presidential directive we will be resuming in-branch services in some of our affected branches in a programmed manner to ensure the health and safety of our employees and customers. This is also necessary to provide relevant contingency should there be any incident arising from the pandemic."

"We recognise that the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic is still out there and whilst we do all that is required to ensure the safety of all our branches in line with the protocol advised by the health authorities we urge our customers to leverage more on our digital channels for their transactions. We have made significant investment to ensure their availability throughout this period and beyond."

"We deny in its entirety the baseless and twisted speculation that the Bank is sacking 75% of its workforce. It is malicious and a distraction from a genuine and compassionate plan to protect our staff and help keep jobs in the unfolding macroeconomic environment."

"We stand that based on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we do not expect that all our branches will be fully opened for in-branch services until later in the year. This has made it impossible for many of our outsourced workers to perform their duties as usual."

"Based on the above-mentioned circumstances, we have commenced engagement with various stakeholders with a view to ensuring that they provide the relevant services and optimum manpower as may be required by the Bank on an on-going basis."

"As we navigate the new normal occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic we wish to assure all our esteemed stakeholders that in our tradition manner the Bank will continue to ensure that its actions and decisions are guided by fairness, justice, equity and good conscience."

http://streetjournal.ng/access-bank-rebuts-plan-to-close-300-branches-lay-off/

By Bright Ilero

Chief Richard Akinjide is dead, he died in the early hours of Tuesday, 21st of April, 2020, at his residence in Idi-Area of Ibadan.

He was a two time Minister of the Federal cabinet. He was the Minister of Education during the first republic under the late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and the Minister of Justice in President Shehu Shagari administration.

He was born on November 4 1931 in Ibadan ,Oyo state. He attended Oduduwa College Ile Ife from where he passed out in Grade one (Distinction) aggregate 6. He traveled to the UK in 1951 for his higher education and was called to the English Bar in 1955 and later in Nigeria. He established his practice of Akinjide and co. later.

The late Legal luminary will be fondly remembered for his brilliance in the Presidential case involving Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Obafemi Awolowo with his mathematical mesmerising leading to the judicial victory of Shehu Shagari, this earned him the nick name Mr Twelve two thirds.

Details information about his demise are still sketchy, but Late Akinjide has ceased from public view for more than five years, largely due to old age.

http://streetjournal.ng/ex-attorney-general-richard-akinjide-passes-on/

A doctor, James King, who was exposed to the 75-year-old coronavirus index case in Kano has narrated how he and his colleagues beat the virus and escaped the machinations of the infected former ambassador.

James narrated his ordeal on his facebook wall which was shared by his close friends.

The facebook post reads:

“I wanted to be silent about this.

But since it’s already on Radio and TV stations, ..and the concerns about my health by many who have reached out,

…it has become imperative for me to tell my COVID-19 mileu.

Here’s the story…

A former Ambassador came to our hospital.

He had COVID-19.

Unknown to us all.

While evaluating him, he was asked,
“How can we help you sir?”

He replied,
“I’ve been having fever and general body weakness.”

Inquired,
“For how long now?”

He replied
“For some weeks now.?

More questions,
“Do you have cough, breathlessness or palpitations?”

The former Ambassador replied
“No”, I don’t have any of that.”

Many other medical questions were asked and documented.

Furthermore,
“Did you travel recently?”

He denied,
“No.”

He was further evaluated, examined and admitted into a private room upstairs on Friday evening.

He had contact with two doctors (my boss and I), three nurses and one non-medical staff.

It was unknown to us that he had travelled to Germany, the US before returning to Kano.

Via Abuja travelling by road.

While travelling by road he stayed briefly in Kaduna before arriving Kano on the 25th March, 2020.

He lied about all these travel history to us.

He also lied about the pertinent Coronavirus symptoms, breathlessness and cough.

He also hid the fact that he had been to several medical outlet since his return to the state.

And importantly, he hid the fact that his samples were taken by the NCDC for COVID-19 testing.

Of course he denied and lied about all the above in order for him to have our medical care.

Putting us all and many others at high risk of the novel pandemic.

We also learnt that during his sickness before coming to us, he was attending Friday Mosque prayers, naming ceremonies and other gatherings.

While on admission in our facility, the next day being a Saturday, we had a Nollywood massive entrance by health officials and massive Police presence.

The major road to our hospital was blocked and made a Security Restricted area.

The officials told us that we had a man in our facility that just tested positive for COVID-19.

Luckily, my boss, a reknown Neurosurgeon, who was still in theatre while rounding up a delicate Spinal Cord Pedicle Screw Fixation+Laminectomy had to be told.

He derobed.

And met the officials.

There was an order from the Governor of the state to lock down the hospital immediately.

The former Ambassador was whisked away to a quarantine centre outskirt of the state.

We were placed on isolation too in our hospital facility.

Samples were taken from our staff for covid-19 testing.

For many days, we could not physically reach our families or anyone.

Isolated up in the hospital.

The waiting began.

Days rolled by.

Anxiety.

All thoughts crept in.

At some point, my boss and I told ourselves that if it’s either positive or negative, we will beat the disease.

Infact we told ourselves that “even though it’s death, we will be dying while in service to humanity.”

When the days rolled by, we began to have some peace.

In fact, we were playing Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s music loudly.

For many days.

Then the tension began.

The result of our COVID-19 will be released in a few more days.

The music volume daily increases.

Phones call and prayers from family and friends.

At last, the result came out yesterday afternoon.

And it was NEGATIVE for all of us.

http://streetjournal.ng/kano-doctor-beats-coronavirus-narrated-how-index-case-deceived-them/

The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari is dead.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has announced.

Abba Kyari who tested positive to coronavirus after his trip from UK has been in isolation. He died on Friday according to the statement signed by Femi Adesina.

The statement reads:

"The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020.

May God accept his soul.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly."

http://streetjournal.ng/breaking-buhari-loses-chief-of-staff-abba-kyari-to-covid-19/

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde on Monday said he used his isolation period to reflect on his plans and programmes for the people of the state aside from fight the health challenge occasion by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The governor said the state is now ready to fight Covid-19 and assured the people of the state that indeed God answered all the prayers offered on his behalf while combating the virus.

Governor Makinde spoke after an inspection tour of the state Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan to assess the level of work done, especially while observing the 14days isolation period as required.

The facility which will also serve as isolation and treatment centre for all Infectious diseases has 100-bed space and is said to be ready to receive patient as soon as the need arises.

The Governor who was received at the Centre by the Acting Chairman of the State COVID-19 Task Force, Prof Temitope Alonge, was also accompanied at the press briefing by the members of the Task Force, Commissioner for health, Dr Bashir Bello, representative of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF among others.

He described as ‘jobless’ those who condemned his choice of Prof Alonge to head the Task Force Team in his absence, saying the experience and expertise of the former Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan is a big boost to the work of the task force in sustaining the fight against the virus in the state.

He appealed to the people of the state to give more support to his government and the task force, especially by observing rules of hygiene and others stipulated by the Task Force.

He also assured the people that the Taskforce will give a daily briefing of how the fight against the pandemic is being fought as a way of reassuring the people of government’s effort.

Makinde said “I want to specially thank Prof Temitope Alonge, I can see a lot of improvement here and I can also see that we are ready to fight Covid-19.

“I have been in isolation myself, yes I lost a little bit of weight which I think it’s good because when you are in isolation, the tendency is to just watch television and eat but I have been using the treadmill.

“It has also been a period to reflect, look at the programmes, the policies and the things which we want to do for the people of Oyo State and also reflect on how COVID-19 is going to affect us socially and economically.

“I want to use this opportunity to say thank you to the people of Oyo State for all your prayers and support. God answered your prayers on my behalf. All our aspirations for the good people of Oyo State shall be fulfilled.

“The COVID-19, like the experts, have been telling me, we are all in an uncharted territory, so we may not be hundred percent perfect, but I want you to continue to give us your support, because we are here to work for you and we are here to ensure that no life is lost to this pandemic. Please continue to follow the directives of the Task Force.

“I am back to work now, some jobless people have been talking about who I should hand over to whether he should be a professor of virology. I am not a professor of virology myself, but, when the expert speaks, the people in position of leadership only need common sense.

“And once you listen to the experts, they have a room in there where they crosscordinate ideas, they discuss, they challenge themselves and then they come up with the best course of action. So its the same thing for us fighting this pandemic.

“So, let us all keep observing our social distancing, hygenic conditions and wash our hands with soap and water. They told me that even the virus is timid, that when you wash your hands with soap and water, it can destroy the virus. So, let us continue to observe all these hygienic practices.

“We will continue to brief you on a daily basis. It is a situation that is fluid as things will keep evolving. If you have ideas, please, call us we will listen to you. We acknowledge the fact that we don’t know it all and we are and we are not all-wise, but God is with us in Oyo State.

“I pray for all those still battling the virus, just the way I overcame, they too will overcome it. The way I overcame it, Oyo state too will overcome Coronavirus.”

http://streetjournal.ng/gov-seyi-makinde/

Residents of Lagos State reacted negatively to the efforts of the State Government to ease their hunger as lockdown in the state continues.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1lBDwW3oHQ

Having being found guilty of the one-count charge of violating the social distancing order of the Federal and Lagos State Government at the Magistrate Court, Ogba, Lagos on Monday, Popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband Abdulrasheed Bello popularly known as JJC skills have been sentenced to 14-day community service with the option of N100,000 fine each.

Lagos Street Journal reported that Akindele and her husband Abdulrasheed Bello popularly known as JJC skills were arraigned before Ogba Magisterial Court, Ikeja, Lagos.

The couple, arrived in court amid large entourage in defiance to social distancing directive.

The case was between Attorney-General of Lagos State vs Funke Akindele and Abdul Raheed Bello, under a one count charge.

The charge, dated April 6, 2020, read: That you Funke Akindele and Abdul Raheed Bello, on the 4th day of April, 2020, at No 9, Gbadamosi Close, Amen Estate, Ibeju Lekki, Magisterial District, gathered at the aforementioned address, with over twenty persons contrary to directive’s of Mr. Governor of Lagos State made pursuant to Regulation 8(1)(a) & (b) 17 (1)(i) of the Lagos State Infectious Disease ( Emergency and Prevention) Regulation 2020, and thereby commuted an offence punishable under section 58 Public Health Law Cap P, 16, Vol 9 Laws of the Lagos State, 2015.

Funke Akindele, however, pleaded guilty over the charge.

She has pleaded guilty to the count and her lawyer, Alagbada pleaded for leniency, stating the defandant and husband are respectable members of the society. They are first offenders with responsibility on two kids.

http://streetjournal.ng/breaking-funke-akindele-husband-sentenced-to-14-day-community-service/

Lagos State Police Command has arrested two paedophiles and a ritualist in the wake of the ongoing state stay-at-home order.

The paedophiles, Christain Chikezie and Dako Aron (52) were arrested in Ikorodu and Olanrewaju Street, Okokomaiko respectively.

The two arrested people were alleged to have had carnal knowledge of a 9 years old and a 13 years old girls respectively.

Chikezie, according to the statement released by the command PRO, DSP Bala  Elkana, was said to have sexually abused his victim twice while Aron, an habitual paedophile and a security guard in a private company in Okokomaiko was also alleged to have dragged his victim into his security post twice.

According to the statement, Dako was last charged to Court on 22, February, 2017 for raping a minor.

The two suspects are to be charged to court while the two victims have been taken to the hospitals for medical treatment and forensic examination.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu has therefore advised parents to monitor their wards to protect them from being preyed on by paedophiles during this stay-at-home period.

Meanwhile, a ritualist, Dona Asogbo, 30, was also reportedly arrested by the command.

He was arrested when some residents of Panuse area, Oko – Afo, Lekki reported at Morogbo Police Station that one Dona Asogbo and Peter Alogbo have turned an uncompleted building in the community into a rituals’ den.

Their activities were alleged to have instilled fear and panic in the community. The principal suspect, Dona Asogba was arrested while his partner took to his heels.

A mini size wooden coffin and all sorts of fetish items were recovered from the shrine. The shrine is suspected to be used for criminal purposes.

http://streetjournal.ng/3844-2/