The Police Service Commission (PSC) has firmly denied allegations that it received a directive from the Presidency to conduct special promotions for police officers assigned to certain politicians. The commission clarified that its regulations do not provide for special promotions, but rather accelerated promotions for officers who meet exceptional criteria under specific conditions.
Background of the Allegations
Online media reports had circulated claiming that President Bola Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, wrote to the PSC requesting special promotions for police officers attached to politicians. However, the Head of Media for the PSC, Mr. Torty Njoku Kalu, dismissed these reports as baseless and false.
Official Statement from PSC
In an interview with The Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Kalu stated, "I am not aware that the Chief of Staff to the President has written the commission to give special promotion to any officer. I also want to say that the commission does not do special promotions; what the commission does is accelerated promotions for deserving officers who truly merit it, and the reasons are usually very clear. We did not receive any such letter, and we do not conduct special promotions."
PSC's Legal Mandate
The Police Service Commission is responsible for the personnel management of the Nigeria Police Force, excluding the Inspector General of Police. Its duties include the appointment and recruitment of officers to ensure effective and efficient performance. The commission has a statutory mandate to recruit police constables, a power confirmed by the Supreme Court in July 2023, which settled a dispute with the Nigerian Police Force.
Powers of the Commission
Additionally, the PSC has the authority to promote and confirm appointments for ranks below the Inspector General of Police (IGP). It is also empowered to discipline police officers, except the IGP. The commission emphasized that it operates strictly within the framework of its established Act and will not engage in actions that contradict laid-down procedures.
