A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Abutu Yaro, has dismissed claims that the promotion of the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin, was secretly approved by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Yaro said the promotion followed due process and was carried out in line with constitutional provisions and service rules, stressing that it fell within the exclusive authority of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
He described allegations of favouritism as unfounded, noting that promotions from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) are handled solely by the PSC.
According to Yaro, Hundeyin met the eligibility requirements for the position of FPRO, which include a minimum rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, a university degree or equivalent, at least 10 years of meritorious service, emotional stability, a clean disciplinary record, and professional competence in public relations or broadcasting.
He added that officers appointed to the role are also exposed to specialised training and capacity-building programmes supported by media consultants engaged by the police.
Explaining the promotion framework, Yaro said promotions for constables to inspectors are handled internally by the police hierarchy, while promotions for inspectorate officers involve an Inspectorate Selection Board. However, he stressed that promotions for superior officers remain the sole responsibility of the PSC.
Read Also: JUST IN: IGP appoints CSP Benjamin Hundeyin as new FPRO
“There is a clause for accelerated promotion in our service manuals,” Yaro said, explaining that officers may be promoted ahead of schedule where performance evaluations and recommendations justify such advancement.
Addressing concerns about transparency, Yaro noted that police promotions are governed by established regulations and PSC guidelines, adding that public agitation over service matters is prohibited within the force.
“Promotions to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police are strictly on the PSC schedule. Any inquiry into the criteria applied should be directed to the Police Service Commission, which is an independent constitutional body,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that the IGP personally promoted Hundeyin, describing them as “misplaced and misleading.”
“The Inspector-General of Police does not have the authority to promote an Assistant Commissioner of Police. His powers are limited to promotions from constable to inspector. Promotions from ASP to DIG are handled exclusively by the Police Service Commission,” Yaro stated.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer familiar with internal procedures said the office of the Force Public Relations Officer is structurally designated for an officer of at least the rank of ACP.
“Anyone appointed to the office who is below the rank of ACP must be promoted to occupy the position. This is standard practice. It is about the office, not the individual,” the officer said.
He cited former FPROs Frank Mba, Jimoh Moshood, and Olumuyiwa Adejobi as precedents, noting that similar conventions apply across other security agencies.
“It is not about Hundeyin. It is about the office. The office of FPRO comes with a defined rank, and whoever is appointed must meet that requirement,” he added.
The officer further stated that the only recommendation forwarded by the IGP to the PSC was Hundeyin’s, based on his appointment.
“Any other promotions are entirely at the discretion of the Police Service Commission. The IGP does not determine those outcomes,” he said.
