A human rights group call for suspension of planned enforcement of vehicle insurance policy by the Nigeria Police Force
... expressed fear of being used as a third-degree and unprofessional policing of citizen’s human rights in Nigeria
By Isaac Eranga, Journalists for Peace Network
COMPART Foundation for Justice and Peace building issued the warning during a press conference in Uyo recently in a letter dated January 20, 2025 and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the group expressed the fear that the exercise may be used by the police as an avenue for third-degree and unprofessional policing of citizen’s human rights in Nigeria.
The letter, signed by the executive director of the group, Saviour Akpan Esq. also added that the police, in carrying out this duty which the law does not assign to them but to other government agencies, would amount to dubbing into the duties which belong to others, thus violating the rights of other Nigerian citizens.
It mentioned other groups as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) as those responsible for road safety administration and management in Nigeria as well as ensuring effective administration, supervision, in Nigeria respectively.“
Although not much is known about this commission its obscurity would not imply that the police should take up responsibilities not assigned to them by the law or crave duties that have already been legally assigned to another”, the letter read, the letter also added: “Therefore, one may not be wrong, legally speaking, to think that if police involve themselves in enforcing vehicle insurance and inspecting documents in the line of duty, there is undoubtedly a cross-duty violation, which is punishable by law.”
As a panacea, the group urged the Inspector General to halt all arrangements and implementation strategies for the planned enforcement so as to prevent the police ranks and files from perpetrating illegality with impunity.
It further advised the police boss to take steps to seek legal advice to understand the limits of the police regarding this plan and, perhaps, others that may be in the offing.
The group also charged the police to liaise with relevant agencies and allow the National Assembly to review Laws on auto insurance, strengthening NAICOM and making it more responsive to its agencies.
In addition to the canvassed review, the group advocated that the National Assembly should request an inquisition or investigate insurance funds paid by vehicle owners in the past and other activities of the commission that may have thrown up a range of worms that have caused the police to begin to plan enforcement actions.
It continued that civil society organizations should also be partnered with to create awareness that will build support for this call by raising awareness to prevent the police from hiding under the guilt of enforcement of vehicle insurance, further violate the human rights of citizens with impunity.
The letter which was copied to the Nigerian Senate, the House of Representatives, the National Human Rights Commission and the media, called on the National Assembly to make a legislation regarding this and advised the police to shelve the plan for now, especially given that they are not a revenue-generating agency.
Comments