The Police Service Commission PSC on Friday approved the dismissal of 18 senior police officers. The officers comprised ten Assistant Superintendents, four Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents and one Superintendent.
Similarly, PSC approved the reduction in ranks of 19 other senior Police Officers, one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents and thirteen Assistant Superintendents.
The decision was reached at Plenary Meeting chaired by the Commission’s Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd). Also present at the meeting were, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd), Honourable Commissioner and Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani.
Disclosing this in press statemen, the Commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani emphasized that,
“Most of the officers dismissed are also to be prosecuted by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force. Three pending Disciplinary matters were stepped down with a request for further information from the Inspector General of Police. The Commission also considered 23 Appeals and petitions and nine legal matters/court judgements.”
Ani added that several other officers found culpable received different punishments including, severe reprimand, reprimand and letter of warning.
Ani, the chief information officer said the suspensions were part of far-reaching decisions made by the Commission in its last segment of its first Plenary Meeting in Abuja
The cases treated by the PSC include 110 Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM), and 23 Appeals and petition cases with 13 court judgements seeking for compliance.
According to the statement PSC had earlier considered and approved recommendations on several promotion matters which had since been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.
The chairman said the Commission will henceforth consider Police Disciplinary matters with dispatch so as to free Police Officers who are not found wanting to continue with their career progression and those found culpable to serve their punishments.
He warned that the Commission will not spare Police Officers who indulge in civil matters like land disputes, marital issues and rent related disputes.
Argungu urged the Police to pay more attention to criminal matters and threats to life, while stressing that the courts should be allowed to do their duties.
