Chinedum Treasure
Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) has attributed Nigerians lack of confidence to hold the police accountable for misconduct or abuses of power to ignorance of their rights under the Police Act 2020 and Regulations.
Executive Director, Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, a.k.a Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), Ms. Kemi Okenyodo stated this on Thursday in Enugu at a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Human Rights, Police Act 2020, and Police Regulations.
Okenyodo, represented by Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, PWAN, Mrs Nkem Okereke said the meeting, specifically for media houses and journalists, aimed at promoting awareness of citizens’ rights under the Police Act 2020.
“Many citizens remain unaware of their rights under the Act, and as a result, may lack the confidence to hold the police accountable for misconduct or abuses of power.
“The meeting offers us opportunity to address the gap in public knowledge regarding human rights and the provisions of the Police Act 2020,” she said.
Okenyodo further lamented the myriad of systemic issues Nigeria had faced in its policing, including allegations of corruption, misuse of power and significant disconnect between police operations and community expectations.
She added, “These problems have been exacerbated by a lack of comprehensive understanding and inconsistent implementation of policing laws among the officers and management of the NPF.
“To address this, PWAN with support from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is implementing the project “Enhancing Police Governance: Deepening Understanding of the Police Act 2020 and Regulations across the six geopolitical zones; specifically in Kano, Plateau, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Borno, and the FCT.
“The project seeks to address critical gaps in the understanding and application of the Police Act 2020 and the accompanying regulations within the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
“PWAN aims to achieve this through capacity building for senior police officers, sensitization of the public on the provisions of the Act, and media town hall meetings on the provisions of the Act and media sensitizations.
“This will improve the knowledge of the police officers and citizens of recent changes and reforms within the police force and further improve human rights application as contained in the Act.”
PWAN boss listed areas the training would cover to include key aspects of the provisions of the Police Act 2020, and police regulations, all of which are important to creating a transparent and accountable relationship between the police and the communities they serve.
“We will also have a panel discussion on media reporting and how the media can mainstream the police Act 2020, especially in the reporting of regular issues like arrest and other common issues of concern.
“We have engaged seasoned facilitators who are conversant with the subject matter and urge each of you, to voice your thoughts, ask questions, and participate actively in today’s session,” she revealed.
Among resource persons that delivered papers included Mr Bash Olasupo who spoke on Promoting the Awareness of the Nigerian Police Act: The Role of the Media And Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma who made presentation of The Police Act 2020/Regulations.
The training which also featured panel discussion on media reporting had no fewer than 30 journalists from the five Southeast states in attendance.
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