The Police Service Commission (PSC) has denied the Inspector-Genseral of Police Mr. Usman Akali Baba the request to stop the promotional interviews for Commissioners of Police (CPs ) to Assistant Inspector-General and Deputy Commissioners(DCPs) to CPs.
The PSC, has therefore, advised officers slated for promotional interviews to report to the appropriate quarters in their own interest .
The commission has also cancelled the posting of CPs of Lagos and Ogun States, insisting that the IGP must submit three names each for interview before posting of CPs
The commission, however, has advised the IGP to stop interfering into the the affairs of of the Commission as it is an establishment of the law and not subject to the control of the IGP .
In a letter to the PSC, signed by Force Secretary to IGP, AIG Hafiz M. Inuwa, made available to Daily Sun, the IGP had pleaded with the PSC to stop its’ promotional interview,so as to enable the new PSC chairman, IGP Solomon Arase(rtd), to resume duty and take up the promotional interviews.
The letter dated January 30 ,state,” following the appointment of IGP Solomon Arase (rtd), by the President as the substantive chairman of the PSC, and his subsequent confirmation by the Senate on 24th January, 2023; the IGP respectfully advised that the Commission suspends it’s Plenary to allow for the new Chairman of the Commission to resume office”.
However, in the letter of response from the PSC, signed by acting Chairman of PSC, Hon. Justice (Mrs) Clara Bata Ogunbiyi (rtd),stated that,” the Commission is aware of the appointment of IGP Solomon Arase( rtd), as the chairman of the PSC, and awaiting swearing -in by Mr. President. We await his resumption of office.
The Commission is, however, taken aback at the advice from the IGP that it should suspend it’s Plenary. This advice, respectfully, is considered an interference with the running of the Commission and unprecedented. It also runs foul of the law .
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, Section 6, Subsection 2, states that ” the Commission shall not be subject to the direction, control or supervision of any other be authority or person in the performance of it’s functions other than is prescribed in this Act; The IGP has not been stated as an exception to this provision of the law.
“The Commission,therefore urges the IGP, who is a creation of the law, to abide by the laws of our land.
Accordingly, the Commission, hereby, informs the IGP, that the Plenary Meeting of 2nd – 3rd February 2023, which is a conclusion of an on-going Plenary that commenced in December 2022, will be concluded.
“In addition, Officers invited for the promotion interview slated for 2nd February, 2023 ,are expected to appear for interview.
” The Commission believes that the motivation of deserving officers through promotions especially as the General Elections draw closer, is very important ,and should not be delayed under any circumstances.
“The Commission, therefore, advises the officers slated for the promotion interview should so appear and in their own interest”.
However, Daily Sun gathered that the PSC is accusing the IGP of acting like the supervisor of the Commission and handing down directives.
In letter to the IGP , singned by Director (Police Recruitment) Mr.Ferdinard Ekpe,for Ag chairman PSC, he explained that,” it is obvious that all these is because the PSC is sticking to the law as regards Babas retirement. PSC is not in support of enlogation of his tenure as it negates all known Nigerian laws and regulations”.
Meanwhile, there is unconfirmed report that the IGP is threatening to arrest the Ag chairman of PSC, and some members if PSC goes ahead with the Plenary on phantom allegations.
A source at PSC has insisted that the meeting which resumed yeterday , would continue today.
It was also gathered that the commission has returned the recommendation of two CPs for Lagos and Ogun states.
A letter to the IGP, titled Re: Proposed Posting
Commissioners of Police,stated that
“The PSC is in receipt of your proposal in respect of posting of State CPs to Lagos and Ogun state Commands respectively as conveyed to the Commission.Kindly refer to our earlier letter requesting that a minimum of three names be sent to the Commission for posting of Commissioners of Police to State Commands.
“Accordingly, for the Commission to exercise, it’s mandate as captured in Section 215 (1b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), we demand as follows;That a minimum of three names per state alongside their CVs , be forwarded to the Commission to enable the Commission make an informed posting posting of CPs in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
