THE Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed 18 senior police officers and approved the reduction in ranks of 19 others.
The PSC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, on Friday, December 6, said the commission rose from the last segment of its first plenary meeting in Abuja, with far-reaching decisions on 109 pending disciplinary matters and 23 appeals and petition cases with 13 court judgments seeking compliance.
The commission said it had earlier considered and approved recommendations on several promotion matters that had since been conveyed to the inspector general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for implementation.
The PSC listed those approved for the reduction in ranks as one assistant commissioner of police, one chief superintendent, two superintendents, two deputy superintendents, and 13 assistant superintendents.
Ani added that the plenary meeting was chaired by commission chairman, Hashimu Argungu, and had deputy inspector-general (DIG) of police Taiwo Lakanu, and the commission’s commissioner and secretary, Onyemuche Nnamani, in attendance.
“The commission, after rigorous consideration of the pending disciplinary matters before it, approved the dismissal of 18 senior police officers, which comprised ten assistant superintendents, six deputy superintendents, two chief superintendents, and one superintendent.
“Two Assistant Inspectors General of Police also received some punishments: one, punishment of reprimand for refusal to carry out lawful instructions, and the other, letter of warning for negligence,” the PSC stated.
It added that several other officers found culpable received different punishments, including severe reprimand, reprimand, and letter of warning.
The commission said most of the officers dismissed would be prosecuted by the legal unit of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
In addition, three pending disciplinary matters were stepped down with a request for further information from the IGP.
The commission also considered 23 appeals, petitions, and nine legal matters/court judgements.
The chairman of the commission, Argungu, said the commission would begin to 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 would not spare police officers who indulge in civil matters like land disputes, marital issues, and rent-related disputes.
Argungu said the courts should be allowed to do their duties while the police should pay more attention to criminal matters and threats to life.
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