FES December 2021 Policy Brief ● Amend the provisions of sec on 84 of the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act 1955, which make the consent of the A orney General of the Federa on or State as the case maybe a condi on precedent towards obtaining monetary awards from government ins tu ons including security agencies is a stumbling block for access to jus ce, and effec vely ensuring adherence to the rule of law by state security actors. The implica on of this provision is that no monetary judgement can be enforced against any public ins tu on without the consent of the Federal or State A orney General and obtaining said consent is near impossible. This thus defeats the purpose for which courts award damages against erring par es, especially in rela on to its puni ve nature which serves as a deterrent to government agencies. ● The legislature should establish a special court to try suspected terrorists, bandits whose ac vi es have a direct nega ve impact on human security. This process will give mely judgement . ● Nigeria is witnessing a major shi in the logic of security provisioning from the state to non-state security actors. In a sense, state inadequacy in the provision of security to its ci zens has created a yawning vacuum that non-state security actors are filling hence the priva za on, commercializa on and communaliza on of security services giving rise to vigilantes, neighbourhood watch groups, private guard companies(PGCs), and private security organisa ons(PSOs). There should be a security framework in place to guide the opera ons of these non-state security actors. ● CSO coopera on with the parliament should be encouraged because it enables democra c governance of the security sector governance by providing informa on on the current security climate, human rights abuses, and exper se on budgetary oversight to commi ee hearings. Police ● Devolu on of the overtly centralized security architecture to regional or community-based policing for effec ve policing and community police rela ons. The Nigerian Police should be more transparent and accountable in the management of the welfare of the officers of the force. Economy ● Restructure the na on's economic base through conscious efforts at developing strategic sectors: revitalising the manufacturing, agricultural and construc on sectors to create more employment opportuni es for the teeming youth popula on. Government should therefore build strong resilient economic ins tu ons and those already in place should be strengthened to create jobs for the youths. The power sector demands immediate a en on for power is the heartbeat of the na on, the informal and formal sector to drive the economy. Efforts should be made to encourage voca onal, technical and entrepreneurial educa on in Nigeria for self-employment. ● Government should check terrorism financing by ensuring that changing of foreign currency at the local markets known as Bureau-de-Change(BDC) is done with iden ty cards and proper documenta ons. Civil Society Organiza ons ● Civil society organiza ons should be encouraged at all bureaucra c levels to reduce tensions and strengthen rela ons between security agencies and members of the public. CSOs play a fundamental role in building and consolida ng an efficient democracy which is based on se ng up of effec ve and competent ins tu ons that respect the rule of law, respond to the needs of the popula on, and are accountable to that popula on. They serve as a conduit pipe for ci zens' input on security sector reforms and governance. Therefore, CSO groups and the media must be supported to ensure human rights viola ons by state and non­state security actors are reported and erring state and non-state security actors are held accountable.