PSC sacks two erring officers, punishes 6 others

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed two Assistant Superintendents of Police for misconduct and corruption, among other offenses.  This decision came during the commission’s recent meeting at its headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.   In addition, six other officers faced disciplinary action, with their ranks reduced. These included two Superintendents demoted to Deputy Superintendents, one Deputy Superintendent lowered to Assistant Superintendent, and three Assistant Superintendents reduced to Inspectors.   READ ALSO: Good governance is required to end terrorism – CDS The PSC also reprimanded 10 senior officers for unauthorized disclosure of secrets and other misconduct. Nine others received formal warnings, while one Deputy Commissioner was exonerated after an investigation.   The meeting also approved several promotions within the police force.  These included elevating 11 Commissioners to Assistant Inspectors General, 16 Deputy Commissioners to Commissioners, and over 2,300 other officers to higher ranks.   The PSC chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu, emphasized the need for discipline among officers to ensure effective law enforcement. The decisions have been communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.

PSC promotes four police officers

The Police Service Commission on Tuesday promoted four police officers currently lecturing at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, who have successfully completed various academic programmes and acquired PhD certificates. The officers who appeared before the Commission on Tuesday include CSP Favour Fadawag; Inspector Shide Sunday; Inspector Oparaji Benjamin; Chetachi Ukwu; and Inspector Benjamin Wanger. CSP Fadawag was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police, while the three Inspectors were promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Police for now, until they are confirmed for further proper placement. PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), mni, who presided over the extraordinary management meeting of the Commission, stated that other officers with additional professional certificates who have been engaged in such professional duties, such as lawyers, will soon be upgraded in line with public service requirements. In a press statement, the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, quoted DIG Argungu as disclosing that the Commission will henceforth encourage merit and personal development as motivation for greater dedication and commitment to duty. He promised that the Commission will continue to promote transparency and accountability in the conduct of its constitutional mandate and assured serving police officers that their welfare, including proper placement, will receive the Commission’s attention, Argungu stressed. According to the PSC Chairman, all lecturers in the Police Academy who have additional certificates will be considered for promotion. While disclosing that the Commission prioritises police welfare, Argungu stated that it will not fail to fight corruption not only in the Commands, Departments, etc. but also in Police Colleges and the Academy. Furthermore, Argungu said the Commission’s policy on whistle-blowing will soon be implemented in the Police Academy and all Police Colleges, and anyone found with corrupt tendencies will be sanctioned. “We have to expose the enemies of our country; anyone found collecting money for admission into the Academy or recruitment into the Police will be dealt with according to the law of the land,” he remarked. He congratulated the newly promoted officers and charged them to contribute their best to the service of their fatherland. DIG Taiwo Lakanu commended the Chairman for his remarkable courage in facilitating the promotion of the officers with PhD certificates while continuing to lecture with Inspector ranks. DIG Lakanu stated that he will continue to stand by him and ensure that the Commission succeeds in transforming the Nigeria Police Force for the better.

FG forcefully retires four senior police officers

Shakeup In Police As IGP Reassigns 14 AIGs, 26 CPs

*Says they failed to voluntarily resign after new IGP’s appointment The Police Service Commission (PSC) has executed the compulsory retirement of four Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) in a notable development that has garnered attention. The Commission, basing its decision on legal statutes and established regulations, made this announcement. This decision was reached following the invocation of specific sections of the law, namely “Third Schedule, Part 1 M, Para A&B of the 1999 Constitution,” and further bolstered by “Section 6 of the Commissions (Establishment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f.” The high-ranking officers who are affected by this directive include Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Jitiboh, Hafiz Inuwa, and Adeleke Bode. The PSC’s official spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, conveyed this information through a statement. The crux of the matter, according to the PSC, lies in the refusal of the aforementioned Deputy Inspectors General to tender their resignations following the appointment of their junior counterpart, Kayode Egbetokun, as the new Inspector General of Police. This decision was made with the intention of ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining the hierarchical integrity within the police force. The action taken by the Police Service Commission not only highlights the importance of adherence to established regulations but also underscores the dynamics that are integral to the internal operations of law enforcement agencies. The move, though significant, is part of the Commission’s efforts to uphold a structured and efficient functioning of the police force under changing leadership dynamics. “In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force. “The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General.” It also announced the appointment of four new senior police officers to replace the relieved DIGs. See full press statement below: PSC RETIRES DIGS DAN-MALLAM, JITIBOH, HAFIZ AND ADELEKE, APPOINTS SANI KA’OJE, SOKARI-PEDRO, AYUBA EKPEJI AND USMAN NAGOGO – decision to uphold discipline, discourage status reversal The Police Service Commission in exercise of its statutory powers, pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, para A&B of the 1999 Constitution, reinforced with Section 6 of the Commissions (Establisment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f, has compulsorily retired four Deputy Inspectors General of Police. The affected DIGs are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Ambakina Jitiboh, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode. In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force. The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General. Accordingly the former DIGs have been mandated to Immediately proceed on compulsory retirement with effect from Friday, 25th August, 2023.The Commission appreciates their immense contributions and efforts towards peace and security of our country and also wishes them well in their future endeavours in retirement. Similarly, the Commission also approved the appointment of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police which would be subject to ratification by the Board of the Commission to replace the retired DIGs. The newly appointed DIGs who are without Pending Disciplinary Matters and/or without any serious medical conditions and health impairments were drawn from the same respective geo-political regions of the retired ones. They are DIG’s Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje; Daniel Sokari – Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji, and Usman Nagogo. While congratulating them for their elevation to the enviable rank of DIGs, the Commission hopes that their appointment will add value and greater vigour to the efforts of the Nigeria Police in delivering on its mandate. Ikechukwu Ani Head, Press and Public Relations Monday, August 28th 2023