BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – An Independent and Non-Profit organisation, the Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS) has commended the Federal Government’s visionary step in setting up the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) to address existing and emerging needs of the Force.
The body is upbeat that the Trust Fund Act will provide dedicated funds required to continuously train police personnel across the country for effective discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, especially in relation to the criminal justice system.
A statement by HURILAWS in Calabar expressed happiness that its push for the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) to protect the rights of persons standing trial as suspects is now yielding the expected results.
Executive Director of Liberty Now, Barrister Innih Archibong, who signed the statement on behalf of HURILAWS, said constituting a Board of Trustees for the Trust Fund barely ten days after signing the Bill into Law and further ensuring the National Assembly approves a budget of 74.7 billion Naira for the Fund’s effective take-off clearly indicate the government attaches great importance to police personnel training as well as the much needed systemic reforms.
Giving further insights on the Act, Archibong said it has a life span of six years from the commencement date, after which it could either cease to exist, except extended for a further period as may be deemed fit by the National Assembly through an amendment.
According to the body, the Trust Fund also provides a Legal framework for the proper administration of criminal justice, adding that alongside police personnel and their auxiliary staff welfare, Section five (5) of the Act outlines the purpose of the Fund to include training; purchase of equipment, and machinery as well as the construction of Police stations and barracks.
Furthermore, Section four (4) of the Act captures the NPTF as a Special Intervention Fund set up to finance necessary and approved expenditures of the Police Force.
Additionally, HURILAWS lauded the Trust Fund’s exemption from payment of tax on any income-generating investment undertaken by the Board of Trustees.
As a non-profit organisation, HURILAWS is dedicated to providing public interest and human rights law services to advance the legal protection of human rights.
