CISLAC, NUJ ask NASS to boost NSCDC with constitutional power

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) have asked the National Assembly to use the opportunity of the current review of the 1999 constitution to boost the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, with constitutional mandate.

The NSCDC is not explicitly mentioned in the 1999 Constitution, leading to questions about its authority and legitimacy. The absence of recognition exposed the Corps to institutional instability and operational challenges.

In the House of Representatives Committee Public hearing on the review of the constitution held in Enugu, CISLAC in collaboration with Transparency International Defence and Security Programme(TI-DSP) made a strong case for a constitutional backing of the NSCDC.

The Chairman of NUJ in Enugu state, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka also made advocacy for the inclusion of the NSCDC in the Nigeria constitution, arguing that despite the deficiency, the security agency has discharged it's functions to the admiration of Nigerians.

Ogbuka said that the NSCDC should be enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for enhanced efficiency, effectiveness and transparency in the delivery of its mandates.

In a paper submitted by Amb. Peggy Chukwuemeka the Executive Director, Parent-Child Intervention Centre (PCIC), the South-East regional partner/representative of CISLAC in Nigeria on behalf of the Executive Director, CISLAC, Awwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, the group

posited that the institutional strengthening across the Defence and Security sector through globally-aligned and strong legal provisions backed by effective implementation is a key factor for consideration and assessment by the Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI).

“Within the context of the GDI, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria understands that any well-meaning effort to achieving a strong and effective Defence/Security institution must be backed by appropriate legal provisions within the Constitution, to mitigate corruption risks, bridge identified gaps, enhance transparency and accountability across its political, procurement, personnel, financial, and operational activities’ the groups maintained."

Rafsanjani stated that they strongly maintain that constitutional recognition for the NSCDC would help to solidify its role in national security and clarify its functions, prevent potential overlapping conflicts with other security agencies and improve its effectiveness. 

He pointed out that full constitutional backing for the NSCDC would clarify its mandate, ensure better resource allocation, improve inter-agency cooperation, enhance civilian oversight which is critical for Improved transparency and accountability across the key components (operational, financial, political, procurement and personnel/gender) of the GDI.

In his own presentation during the exercise, the NSCDC Commandant, Enugu State Command, Dr. Elijah Etim Willie, posited that the Corps had come of age and should be given the constitutional recognition it deserved because of the critical security roles they have been playing.

Willie noted that it was the National Assembly act that established the Corps in 2003 and for this reason, it should be made to stand on its feet as a full fledged paramilitary organisation.