House of Rep proposes motion to ban police from consuming alcohol

 The House of Representatives has proposed a prohibition on police officers consuming alcohol and other aggressive substances that could impair their reasoning abilities.

The resolution was passed in plenary on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, following the passage of an urgent public interest motion sponsored by Lagos lawmaker Babajide Obanikoro.

While passing the motion, the lawmakers observed a minute's silence for the slain Ms. Raheem, while agreeing that the actions of the Nigerian police should be reviewed based on the general behavior of police officers.

Lawmakers also condemned the murder of Ms Raheem, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who was shot by police officers on Christmas Day in Lagos. We recall that the lawyer was killed by an Ajiwe police officer from Ajiwe Police Station in Lagos as she and her family walked home after the Christmas service on Sunday.

The mother of the deceased was reported to have said that the victim was pregnant with twins.

The shooting drew widespread criticism, with the Lagos Police Command announcing that Drambi Vandi, the killing officer, is currently in custody.

Obanikoro led the debate on the motion and said a similar incident occurred on December 7 when a police officer from the same district shot a Gafaru Buraimoh.

The lawmaker said that "this type of event occurs frequently throughout Nigeria and officers usually get away with shooting and killing innocent civilians they are sworn to protect." The motion to ban officers from drinking while on duty was approved after being voted on by Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House.

Subsequently, lawmakers demanded that "police officers should be prohibited from consuming alcohol and other aggressive substances that could impair their reasoning and ability to perform their duties judiciously."

Meanwhile, police officers are already prohibited from using alcohol and psychotropic substances while on duty.

Section 100 (1) of the Nigeria Police Act 2021 states that: “While on duty, a police officer shall not take any intoxicating liquor, psychotropic substances, or stimulants, where he does, he shall be punished in accordance with the police disciplinary procedures.”

The law also prohibits individuals from offering police officers alcohol while on duty.

Section 100 (2) states that: “(a) A person who: knowingly harbours or entertains or either directly or indirectly gives any intoxicating liquor, psychotropic substances or stimulants to any police officer while on duty or permits any such police officer to abide or remain in his house unlawfully; except in cases of extreme urgency.

“(b) By threats or by offer or money, gift, spirits, liquors, psychotropic substances or stimulants induces or attempts to induce any police officer to commit a breach of his duty as a police officer or to omit any part of such duty, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of at least N50,000.”

However, despite the provisions of the law, there have been several instances where police officers were caught taking alcohol while on duty.