Police Trust Fund: 0.5% FAAC Deduction Illegal, Unconstitutional

Matilda Omonaiye/

The Northern People’s Democratic Party New Media Strategists, (NPDPNMS), says the Federation account allocation of 0.5% of all revenues to the Police Trust Fund is illegal and unconstitutional.

The group, in a statement sent to NewsmakersNG, says it has studied the Police Trust Fund establishment act and has found that there is a fundamental breach of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The statement signed by National PRO, NPDPNMS, Muhammad Abdullah, says: “The 1999 Constitution clearly stipulated how the Federation Account allocation should be shared amongst the three Federating Units, without any anticipation whatsoever that a certain deduction would be made for anybody created by the National Assembly.

“The National Assembly will have to go the whole hog of a constitutional amendment if it were to succeed in getting the Federation allocation deductions 0.5% done for the Police Trust Fund as currently passed by the Police Trust fund establishment act.

“The Federal Government should rather than shy away from its exclusive responsibility of funding the police take up its responsibility fully with support from the states to the state commands.

“Currently, some of the state governments are overwhelmed by challenges of Salaries, infrastructure and critical needs, any deductions will further jeopardize the solvency of most states.

“NPDPNMS concedes that the police needs improved funding to enhance its performance, but funding the police from illegal, unconstitutional sources will only jeopardize it further.

“We, therefore, urge the Federal Government to own up to its duty and not to shift the burden to states and LGAs.”

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