FG forcefully retires four senior police officers

*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

Premature Retirement: Court orders PSC to pay AIG Mbu N40m damages

The National Industrial Court on Monday ordered the Police Service Commission (PSC), to pay retired AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu, the sum of N40 million as general damages. The payment as ordered by Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, was for the unlawful retirement of Mbu before he attained the mandatory age of 60 years. ”I hold that the claimant’s premature retirement through a press release on July 2, 2016, is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void, and of no effect”. The court in addition set aside the purported retirement and declared that the claimant remained an officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), until he attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 on May 10, 2018. Furthermore, the court ordered the defendant to pay Mbu his salaries, allowances and entitlement from July 2, 2016 when he was retired until May 10, 2018 when he ought to have retired having attained 60 years. The judge while delivering the judgment ordered that the sum of N750,000 be paid to the claimant as cost of the suit, stating that failure of the defendant to comply with the orders of the court within 30 days will attract a 10 per cent interest per annum. The court, however, declined the relief of promotion to the position of a DIG and reinstatement sought by the claimant. This, the court explained cannot be sustained as the claimant had reached the mandatory retirement age on May 10, 2018 when the suit was pending. From facts, the claimant, Mbu instituted the suit against the commission over his alleged compulsory retirement on July 2, 2016, when he was the commandant of the Police Staff College. In his statement of facts, he stated that he was born May 10, 1958, and joined the police on Dec. 11, 1985, and had not reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, nor had he spent 35 years in service before he retired in 2016. The claimant had therefore sought, amongst other reliefs, an order of the court to invalidate his retirement, which he claimed was done via a press release as he was never served statutory notice of retirement. He also sought for an order of the court directing the defendant to pay his salaries, allowances and other entitlements from July 2016 to 2018, when he would have been due for retirement. He also sought for payment of his terminal benefits, N500 million as general damages and N20 million as cost of the suit. The defendant on its part through processes stated that the claimant was not retired through press release, but that he was pulled out from the force in a ceremonial event. The defendant equally averred that promotion in the force is not automatic and that the claimant did not meet some of the requirements for promotion. According to the defendant the reorganisation in NPF at the time of the claimant’s retirement followed due process and the claimant was not the only person affected. The court in its judgment stated that although the defendant abandoned it case by failing to show up in court to conduct its defence, the action did not exonerate the claimant from the burden to prove his case. The judge submitted that pleadings are not synonymous with evidence as the defendant was never in court regardless of several hearing notices served. Obaseki-Osaghae in addition stated that the defendant was deemed to have abandoned its case as the claimant’s submissions were not contested. She said that the claimant having proven his case on its strength through credible evidence without relying on the weakness of the defendant, was entitled to some of the reliefs he sought.