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Tag: PSC

  • PSC approves appointment of new CPs for Kogi, Edo

    PSC approves appointment of new CPs for Kogi, Edo

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of Miller Dantawaye as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) for Kogi and Betty Otimenyin for Edo.

    The Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Ani said the new CPs would replace the current CPs of the two states due for retirement in January.

    He said the current CP in charge of Kogi, Chukwuka Onuoha would be due for retirement on Jan. 22, while Peter Umoru, the current CP for Edo would be retiring on Jan. 25.

    He said that Dantawaye is currently the CP in charge of Information Technology (IT) at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    “The new Kogi CP had served as the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Operations with the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “The new Edo CP started her police career in Bauchi State and had served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in various divisions in Plateau and Edo.

    “Otimenyin had also served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration for Zone 13 Dunokuofia, Anambra and Zone 5, Edo,” he said.

    The PSC spokesman added that the new Edo CP is currently in charge of Administration, Force Intelligence Department FID, Abuja.

    The PSC Chairman, Mr Hashimu Argungu, called on the new CPs to be dedicated and committed to the service of the country.

    He urged them to quickly settle down in their duties and improve on the state of security in the two states.

    Argungu said the commission would continue to monitor their performance and encourage them to put in their best in the security of the states.

  • PSC approves promotion of 11 CPs, 16 DCPs

    PSC approves promotion of 11 CPs, 16 DCPs

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 11 Commissioners of Police (CPs) and 16 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to their next ranks.

    Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, made this announcement in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    The 11 CPs were promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIG), while the 16 DCPs were elevated to the rank of CP.

    Ani explained that the promotions were approved at the Commission’s second plenary meeting, where the senior officers underwent both written and oral examinations.

    He added that the Chairman of the Commission, Mr Hashimu Argungu, emphasised that from now on, written and oral examinations would be a pre-requisite for promotions at all levels within the Nigeria Police Force.

    The PSC chairman further encouraged police officers to continually improve and expose themselves to global best practices, including proficiency in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

    The 11 newly promoted AIGs are: Umar Nadada, Mustapha Bala, Abayomi Oladipo, Taiwo Adeleke, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Nwonyi Emeka, Akinwale Adeniran, Zubairu Abubakar, Fom Joseph, Emuobo Ekokotu, and Garba Yusuf.

    The 16 newly promoted CPs include: Kayode Ojapinwa, Emmanuel Ighodalo, Bose Akinyemi, Barayimil Samaila, Martin Nwogoh, Shetima Mohammed, Ibrahim Gotan, Rabiu Mohammed, and Olugbenga Abimbola.

    The others promoted to CP are: Adepoju Adewale, Bello Yahaya, Ibrahim Bakori, Hauwa Jibrin, Abayomi Shogunle, Mohammed Baba, and Ezekiel Husseini.

    Ani also stated that Mr Taiwo Lakanu, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Police Promotions at the PSC, led the promoted officers through a rigorous oral interview.

    Lakanu advised the newly promoted officers to focus on the responsibilities that come with their new positions and urged them to serve the nation with dedication

    He assured that the Commission would continue to ensure that promotions were timely and based on merit.

  • JUST IN: 18 senior police officers sacked, 19 others demoted over misconduct

    JUST IN: 18 senior police officers sacked, 19 others demoted over misconduct

    The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of 18 senior officers and demotion of 19 others over misconduct and other disciplinary issues.

    The Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Ani said the commission, at its first Plenary Meeting in Abuja, took the decision on 109 Pending Disciplinary Matters and 23 Appeals and petition cases with 13 court judgments seeking compliance.

    He said the commission had earlier considered and approved recommendations on several promotion matters conveyed to it by  the Inspector-General of Police for implementation.

    Ani said the plenary meeting was presided over by the Chairman of PSC, Mr Hashimu Argungu.

    “After rigorous consideration of the pending disciplinary matters before the commission, it approved the dismissal of 19 senior Police Officers.

    “The senior officers consist of 10 Assistant Superintendents, six Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents and one Superintendent.

    “The commission  also approved the reduction in ranks of 19 other senior police officers, consisting of one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents and 13 Assistant Superintendents,” he said.

    Ani said the PSC punished two Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, with one being reprimanded for refusal to carry out lawful instructions while the other received letter of warning for negligence.

    The PSC spokesman said several other officers found culpable received different punishments including, severe reprimand, and letters of warning.

    According to him, most of the officers dismissed will also be prosecuted by the legal unit of the Nigeria Police Force.

    He said three pending disciplinary matters were stepped down with a request for further information from the Inspector General of Police after considering 23 appeals and petitions and nine legal matters/court judgments.

    Ani said the commission would henceforth be considering police disciplinary matters with dispatch.

    He said the idea was to free police officers who were not found wanting to continue with their career progression and those found culpable to serve their punishments.

    The PSC spokesman said the PSC boss had warned that the commission would not spare police officers who indulged in civil matters like land disputes, marital issues and rent related disputes.

    Argungu said the courts should be allowed to do their work while the Police should pay more attention to criminal matters and threats to life.

  • PSC promotes 8 CPs, 676 other senior officers

    PSC promotes 8 CPs, 676 other senior officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of eight Commissioners of Police (CP) to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and 676 other senior officers to their new ranks.

    Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the eight promoted CPs were Benneth Igwe, Suleiman Abdul, Augustina Ogbodo, Stephen Olanrewaju, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, Fayoade Mustapha, Adegboyega Adegboye and Mohammed Labbo.

    Ani said 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) were promoted to the rank of CP while 52 Chief Superintendents of Police were promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP).

    According to him, 525 Superintendents of Police (SP) were promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) while 84 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) were promoted to SP.

    The PSC spokesman said the eight CPs and 15 DCP were subjected to some form of assessment and examination, a condition now precedent for their promotion to the new ranks.

    He said the decisions were reached at the first Plenary Meeting of the new Board of the commission, presided over by the Chairman, Mr Hashimu Argungu.

    Ani said the PSC boss had enjoined the newly promoted officers to engage in deliberate self-development through constant knowledge acquisition to be better equipped to face the challenges of 21st century policing.

    Argungu said police officers would henceforth be subjected to formal examination before consideration for the promotion, adding that it was a requirement for promotion in civil service as stipulated in the civil service rule.

    The PSC chairman said police officers would not be an exemption, adding that promotion in the police would continue to be merit based and predictable.

    He assured that the Commission will not for any reason delay the promotion of deserving Officers but insisted that it must be earned.

    Argungu congratulated the newly promoted officers, adding that the promotion was a call for greater dedication to the service of their fatherland.

    He urged the officers to be deliberate, committed and focused in the fight against insurgency and banditry in the country.

  • PSC approves promotion of 7,194 inspectors

    PSC approves promotion of 7,194 inspectors

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 7,194 Police Inspectors to their next ranks of Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) II.

    Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that the promoted officers were products of the recently concluded Inspectors Board interview that took place in all the Police Zonal Command Headquarters in the country.

    The PSC spokesman said the commission’s approval had been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun for implementation.

    Ani said the Chairman of the commission; Mr Hashimu Argungu congratulated the newly promoted officers and reminded them that their new ranks called for more commitment to national duty.

    The PSC boss said the promotion had come at the right time when plans were concluded to properly motivate them to put in their best in the service of the nation.

    Argungu said the country was currently undergoing some positive restructuring, resulting to temporary discomfort, but called on the officers to join hands to protect the nation’s nascent democracy.

    The PSC boss pledged that the commission would continue to ensure that promotions in the Nigeria Police Force were timely and predictable.

    He urged the newly promoted officers to reciprocate the gesture by conducting themselves within established laws and put in their best to address the current security challenges facing the country.

  • Police recruitment: NPF, PSC settle differences, new recruits to begin training in August

    Police recruitment: NPF, PSC settle differences, new recruits to begin training in August

    After weeks of disagreement, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) have resolved their differences regarding the recruitment of 10,000 new constables.

    On Tuesday, police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi announced that the NPF has accepted the PSC’s list of recruits, which it had previously rejected due to allegations of corruption and the replacement of qualified candidates with unqualified ones. The PSC, led by its former chairman Solomon Arase, had denied these allegations and refused to cancel the process.

    The conflict prompted intervention from the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, and other stakeholders. According to a statement from PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani, the training for the recruits will begin on August 10.

    Adejobi confirmed that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has endorsed the agreement between the NPF and the PSC. He emphasized that the collaboration reflects both parties’ commitment to a transparent, fair, and merit-based recruitment process.

    The IG expressed confidence that the new recruits will enhance internal security, create employment opportunities for Nigerian youths, and support the Federal Government’s objectives. Training will cover modern policing ethics, community policing, ICT, artificial intelligence, and other essential skills.

    Adejobi also thanked stakeholders and the public for their patience and support throughout the resolution process.

  • ICYMI: Senate confirms Argungu as Chairman Police Service Commission

    ICYMI: Senate confirms Argungu as Chairman Police Service Commission

    The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Mr Hashimu Argungu as Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC).

    Also confirmed as Secretary and Member were Chief Onyemuche Nnamani and Mr Frederick Lakanu.

    This followed adoption of the report of the Committee on Police Affairs at the Committee of the Whole on Thursday.

    Presenting the report Chairman of the committee, Sen. Abdulhamid Ahmed (APC-Jigawa) said the professional truck records of the nominees validates the fact that they are persons of proven integrity and ability.

    According to him, there is no petition or any adverse security report against their nomination.

    He said their qualifications, track record of excellence, professional services and cognate experience confirmed and affirmed their suitability and competence to be appointed for the positions.

    He therefore urged the Senate to confirm the nominees.

    Contributing, Sen.Seriake Dickson(PDP-Bayelsa) said the committee performed its duties as was requested by the senate.

    He said he has a personal knowledge of the nominees in the course of his service at various levels, while urging the Senate to confirm the nominees.

    Sen.Ahmed Lawan(APC-Yobe) commended the committee for conducting a through secreening on the nominees.

    He said the nominees were all qualified for the positions expressing hope that they would perform creditably.

    He said there was a disagreement between office of Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission on who should recruit new police officers, saying that the matter ended at the Supreme Court.

    This, Lawan said was a a bad experience, saying that the Senate must insist that whatever issues between the two organisations should be resolved.

    He expressed believe that the nominees are well qualified to do the job, while urging the committee to closely monitor activities in the two organisations.

    President of Senate Godswill Akpabio said committee on police affairs should ensure oversight functions to avoid the mistakes of the past particularly the idea of office of the Inspector-General of Police struggling with the police service commission on issues of recruitment.

    “In the last two years, we probably would have had additional 20,000 Nigerians into the Nigerian Police Force.

    “But unfortunately as a result of personality clashes, the issues went as far as the supreme Court.

    Whelther withdrawn or not withdrawn, this police service commission we have just cleared today.

    And so Office of the Inspector-General of Police should be cautioned to take the interest of Nigerians into consideration and security of this nation uppermost and not their personal interest.

    “They should work harmoniously toward the realisation of Mr President’s vision that Nigerians should be allowed to sleep with their eyes closed.”

  • Police recruitment: PSC insists list of successful candidates remain valid

    Police recruitment: PSC insists list of successful candidates remain valid

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) said it has not and would not cancel the list of successful candidates released for recruitment into Constables cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Ani said the clarification was followed by the statement being circulated in the social media, alleging that, PSC had succumbed to pressure and cancelled the final list of successful candidates.

    According to him, the statement did not emanate from PSC and we urge the public to disregard same.

    He added that the recruitment exercise was conducted in clear adherence to relevant guidelines and provisions of the law.

    He said the commission had just concluded a routine maintenance of its portal containing the list of the successful candidates.

    “The commission is in control of the situation and has since restored the recruitment portal with its original contents.

    “Successful candidates are advised to ignore this deliberate antics of desperate groups bent on destroying the good work of the commission.

    “The commission is committed to giving the nation a merit based and inclusive recruitment exercise.

    “It will continue to ensure that federal character, gender sensitivity and merit are the bedrock of its recruitment process,” he said.

    Ani, therefore, urged those behind the circulated statement to desist from undermining the recruitment exercise, adding that, anyone caught would be dealt with.

    “The portal is now fully functional and accessible hence, candidates can now log in and access all its features without any disruptions” Ani said.

  • ‘WAHALA’ Brewing: PSC staff union demands resignation of IGP over constables recruitment

    The Joint Union Congress of the Police Service Commission, has called on President Bola Tinubu, to relieve the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over his alleged meddlesomeness in the recent recruitment of police constables.

    During a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the union also alleged that some top officers within the Nigerian Police Force, tried to smuggle names during the recruitment process.

    The aggrieved members of the union while singing protest songs, described the reactions of the NPF as diversionary tactics.

    According to them, NPF intends to prevent the president from noticing the unpreparedness of the police training schools, to handle the training of the recruits, owing to the sorry states of the facilities.

    The move comes after the PSC recently released 10,000 names of successful candidates employed from the recent recruitment exercise by the commission.

    The list was later rejected by the NPF, who described the recruitment process as fraudulent.

  • PANDEF raises concerns over removal of Arase PSC Chairman

    PANDEF raises concerns over removal of Arase PSC Chairman

    The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has raised concerns over the removal of former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase from his position as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports PANDEF, the apex socio-cultural body of the Niger Delta people, is led by the South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

    PANDEF, while raising concerns over the removal of Arase from his position as Chairman of the PSC, noted that the singular act further portrays the administration of President Bola Tinubu as one that does not prioritize competence, integrity, and efficiency; sacrificing merit on the altar of favoritism.

    The group described the removal of Arase as PSC Chairman as unwarranted, and an unnecessary provocation that reflects negatively on President Tinubu’s administration, indicating a lack of regard for the nation’s law.

    According to PANDEF in a statement yesterday by its National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, when the President dissolved the memberships of boards and agencies of the federal government in 2023, shortly after assuming office, the leadership of the Police Service Commission remained untouched, presumably due to its statutory position. What has changed now?

    PANDEF said, “It is pertinent to implore that political considerations mustn’t be entertained in appointments to sensitive institutions such as the Police Service Commission.

    “Mr. President should likewise note that the continued disregard for the constitution and the rule of law by the government not only mirrors negatively on law enforcement officers, the military, and political leaders but also sends a dangerous message to citizens, posing a threat to Nigeria’s stability.”

    The statement read, “We, hereby, express profound disappointment, and denounce the unjust manner in which Dr. Solomon Arase, a former Inspector General of Police, was relieved of his duties as Chairman of the Police Service Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, 10th June 2024.

    “PANDEF views Arase’s removal as unwarranted, and an unnecessary provocation that reflects negatively on Tinubu’s administration, indicating a lack of regard for the nation’s laws that Mr. President swore to uphold and protect.

    “This singular act further portrays this administration as one that does not prioritize competence, integrity, and efficiency; sacrificing merit on the altar of favoritism.

    “The question arises as to why any serious government would dismiss a personality like Solomon Arase, who had initiated positive reforms and improvements at the Commission, and given his meritorious track record as a diligent police officer, who rose through the ranks to become the 18th Inspector General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force, and retired with dignity.

    “Solomon Arase, a former Inspector General and a native of Edo State in the South-South region of Nigeria, was appointed as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in January 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Solomon Arase’s tenure as Chairman of the Police Service Commission lasted only about 16 months of the four-year term.

    “According to Section 3, subsection (1)a of the Police Service Commission Act 2002, subject to the provisions of Section 4 of the Act, a member of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall each hold office for a term of four years and no more.

    “The Act also details the conditions for removal from office in Sections 4 as cited below: (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3 of this Act, a person shall cease to hold office as member of the Commission if:

    (a) He becomes bankrupt, suspends payment or compounds with his creditors; or (b) he is convicted of a felony or any offence involving dishonesty of fraud; or (c) he becomes of unsound mind, or is incapable of carrying out his duties; or (d) He is guilty of serious misconduct in relation to his duties; or

    (e) In the case of a person possessed of professional qualifications, he is disqualified or suspended, other than at his own request, from practicing his profession in any part of the world by an order of a competent authority made in respect of that member.

    “(2) A member of the Commission may be removed by the President if he is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the interest of the public that the member should continue in office.

    “5 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 of this Act, the Chairman and any other member, may at any time be removed from that office by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause of misconduct).

    “The pivotal question remains, “What warranted Solomon Arase’s removal from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?”

    PANDEF urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tell Nigerians, and the world, at large, the reason or reasons for Arase’s removal. We stand against injustice, oppression, and likewise, misconduct.

    “PANDEF notes that when the President dissolved the memberships of boards and agencies of the federal government in 2023, shortly after assuming office, the leadership of the Police Service Commission remained untouched, presumably due to its statutory position. What has changed now?

    “It is important to recall that when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, he retained Sir Mike Okiro as Chairman of the Police Service Commission until the end of Okiro’s tenure, appointing Musiliu Smith, also a former IGP, in May 2018 to succeed Okiro.

    “Sir Mike Okiro, the 13th Inspector General of Police from 2007 to 2009, was appointed as Chairman of the Police Service Commission in May 2013 by Buhari’s predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Mr. President should recognize that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens, and any attempt to marginalize the people of the Niger Delta region and the South-South Geopolitical zones will not be taken lightly.

    “We have been inundated with disturbing reports of discrimination against our people in the last few months, particularly regarding the mass layoffs at the Central Bank of Nigeria, disproportionately affecting staff from the southern regions, especially the South-South and South East zones.

    “We refrained from commenting on recent challenges to allow the Tinubu administration address them, but it appears the administration has opted to sustain the discriminatory practices against the people of the South-South Geopolitical zone.

    “Suffice to remind that the sacrifices and contributions of the South-South zone to the unity and sustenance of Nigeria are unparalleled.

    “We are not unaware of the conflict between the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force since 2020, majorly due to issues bordering on recruitment into the constables cadre of the Police Force.

    “During Sir Mike Okiro’s tenure as Chairman of the Police Service Commission, there was a disagreement with the Inspector General of Police over the recruitment of constables. While the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, wanted the recruitment to be carried out on the basis of Local Government Areas, the Commission’s Chairman, Sir Mike Okiro, insisted it should be on the basis of equality of states.

    “The unfair implication of the recruitment on LGA basis being, for instance, if ten persons were to be recruited from each local government area of the country, Kano State would have 440 recruits whereas Bayelsa State would have 80; the entire South-South zone would have 125 recruits while Kano and Jigawa States alone would have 71. It was this imbalance that prompted Sir Mike Okiro’s insistence.

    “Regrettably, then President Muhammadu Buhari, for obvious reasons, supported the position of the Inspector General of Police.

    “The avoidable dispute over who has powers on recruitment to the police persisted through the tenure of Musiliu Smith, Okiro’s successor, leading to a national embarrassment in August 2022, when the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force urged Nigerians to ignore a publication by the Police Service Commission on police recruitment.

    “The provision of the Constitution on the subject is unambiguous. Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that the Police Service Commission, “Shall be responsible for the appointment and promotion of persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons (other than the IG) and formulate policies and guidelines for the appointment, promotion, discipline and dismissal of officers of the Nigeria Police Force.”

    “Unfortunately, Section 18(1) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, which was assented to by then President Muhammadu Buhari, states that: “The responsibility for the recruitment of recruit constables into the Nigeria Police Force and recruit cadets into the Nigeria Police Academy shall be the duty of the Inspector-General of Police.

    “This unnecessary duplication made both the police and the commission to lay claims to their powers to conduct recruitment for the police. Worryingly, the presidency was unable to resolve the contradiction.

    “Subsequently, the commission filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja and the matter dragged on to the Supreme Court, which eventually gave judgment in July 2023, and affirmed the Police Service Commission’s mandate to recruit constables for the Nigerian Police.

    “With the Supreme Court ruling on the matter, it was expected that the Police Service Commission and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force would bury the hatchet, and collaborate to ensure effective policing across Nigeria. Sadly, that appears not to be the case. A stitch in time saves nine! “

    Recall that when former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Arase in January 2023, and PANDEF had hailed Buhari over the appointment.

    In a statement then by PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, it said that it was particularly happy and impressed that President Buhari in this instance, recognized and rewarded competence, patriotism, and love for the nation which are the virtues that the former Inspector-General of Police boldly upholds and bespeaks.