CID Bill 2020: In Whose Interest?
The Governors are apprehensive, Youths are warming up for a confrontation, some Nigerians, including former lawmakers, are in court; all in a strenuous effort to stop the passage of one of the most controversial pieces of legislation, in Nigeria’s nascent democracy. The controversial Control of Infectious Diseases Bill 2020, since it was conceptualised, has attracted all manner of criticism and conspiracy theories.
• Coordinate surveillance systems to collect, analyse and interpret data on diseases of public health importance.• Develop and maintain a network of reference and specialised laboratories.• Lead Nigeria’s engagement with the international community on diseases of public health relevance. However, we must be so cautious, so we would not be caught adding fire to the already blazing flame, or throwing away the baby with the bathwater. I have carefully perused the provisions of the Bill, and I can confidently say that it is a dangerous piece of legislation that must be completely rejected in toto. For convenience, I will divide the disturbing implications of the Bill into two, and make an attempt at addressing the constitutional, legal and policy issues arising therefrom.
Section 24 of the Bill empowers the Police to cause the arrest of anyone who is suspected to be suffering from infectious disease, at any place and at any time. The question that follows is: what is the gauge or parameter for determining a policeman’s suspicion? Wide discretionary power, is given to a Police Force known for gross violation of human rights. It would have even been a different case entirely, if the Bill provides for a “reasonable suspicion”.
It shields the DG and other officers from accountability and responsibility for their actions, and possible inactions.
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