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Tag: PSC

  • Police bows to pressure, transfer CP Gwandu out of Edo

    Police bows to pressure, transfer CP Gwandu out of Edo

    After the outcry by Edo State indigenes and residents recently, the force headquarters, Abuja, Wednesday yielded to reason and  transferred the embattled Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Haliru Gwandu Abukar, who despite initial transfer by the Police Service Commission, PSC, refused deployment to his new station.

     

    Abukar’s posting order, issued on Tuesday October 17, 2017, by the Secretary, Office of the Inspector General of Police, has the reference: TH. 5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/V.2/532, with the title: Posting Senior Officers.

     

    The order which was obtained by this reporter, directed him to move to his new duty post with immediate effect.

     

    Other police commissioners affected by the posting order are Moses Ambakina Jitoboh and Johnson Babatunde Kokumo. 

     

    In July, Abukar, along with other CPs like Fatai Owoseni, formerly of Lagos State, Garba Umar formerly of Bayelsa, were all redeployed. Owoseni, initially, was belligerent and wouldn’t give way for Egdal Omohinmi, his successor, claiming that there hasn’t been signal from the IGP.

     

    The matter was however smoothened later. While Owoseni and Umar have since moved to their new stations, Abukar adamantly refused to budge, allegedly citing directives from the IGP to stay put.

     

    The breakdown in the relationship between the Police and Edo people was amplified by members of the public, who alleged many infractions against the state police command.

     

    Crime rate, especially, kidnapping and robbery, spiked in Edo and the state police command appeared helpless in the matter. There was the brazen kidnap of Andy Ehenire, a brother of Minister of state for Health, Osagie Ehanire, after three policemen were cold bloodedly killed by abductors. Andy has since been released by his abductors, though, but his captors are yet to be apprehended.

     

    Till date, the whereabouts of Osayomore Joseph, a popular musician from Benin, is unknown after being plucked from public view almost a month ago. The police are still clueless on the matter. Till date, too, the brutal killing of Paul Otasowie, a UNIBEN professor, is yet to be unravelled.

     

    The public also accuse the Edo police Command under Abukar of being selective in the protection of citizens and residents in Edo State. They cited the incessant harassment by herdsmen in Edo State as example. Rather than protect vulnerable communities, the police deploy, instead to protect herdsmen on routine grazing of their cattle. The state governor, Godwin Obaseki, had taken up the insecurity matter with the presidency after which he visited the office of the National Security Adviser.

  • Some police commissioners under probe, says PSC

    Some police commissioners under probe, says PSC

    THE Police Service Commission (PSC) has said some Police Commissioners in charge of commands are under investigation.

    The commission explained that the investigation was imperative following official complaints and petitions of alleged abuse of office received against them.

    The latest of such petition was from Concerned Citizens of Edo State, who were at the commission in Abuja yesterday to register their grievances.

    They complained about the performance of the Commissioner of Police in Edo State Haliru Gwandu.

    The leader of the group, Henry Okpeme, complained of the collapse of security in Edo State, adding that there was an alarming increase in high profile assassinations, kidnapping and rape.

    The group called for the redeployment of the CP for alleged compromise.

    Reacting to their complaint, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Commission, Musa Istifanus, said the commission would sanction any officer found culpable.

    This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani.

    Istifanus said the commission has received several complaints and petitions against some Commissioners of Police, who are allegedly going against laid down rules and regulations.

    He noted that the commission would take serious action against any of the CPs found to have compromised his office.

    He urged the group to remain calm, lawful and allow the commission to do the needful, promising that the issues raised in their petition will be addressed.

    Efforts to get Gwandu to react to the allegations failed as he refused to pick his call despite several attempts.

     

  • We lack powers to discipline IGP, says PSC

    We lack powers to discipline IGP, says PSC

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) says it lacks powers to discipline the Inspector General (IG) Ibrahim Idris.

    The commission explained that its constitutional mandate is to only appoint, promote and discipline police officers, which does not include the IG.

    The IG, being an appointee of the President, is not  answerable to  the commission.

    Those answerable to the commission are from the rank of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police  (DIGs) to the rank of constable.

    This clarification is due to recent publication in one of the dailies, where the commission was said to have outlived its usefulness.

    The powers of the commission as stated in paragraph 30, Part 1 of the third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, reads: “The commission shall have powers to: (a) appoint persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and (b) dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a)”.

    The commission, while saying it would function more effectively if there is constitutional provision that allows it protect its decisions, added: “It is also common knowledge that most times, the commission’s decisions are not implemented by the IG since constitutionally the commission cannot discipline the IGP.”

    Reacting to the publication  in a statement in Abuja yesterday, the Commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said: “The attention of the commission is drawn to a Saturday Vanguard front page publication of October 7, 2017, captioned, “Shocking! more rot in Police exposed”, where one Aisha Tosan went to a great extent to expose alleged ills in the Nigeria Police Force and expected that the commission should have called the IGP to order.

    “As an insider, Tosan, who should be genuinely concerned on the alleged rot in the system, should also have known where to squarely place the blame.

    “It is common knowledge that the constitution, which gave the commission the powers to appoint, promote and discipline, also did not extend the powers to discipline an IGP, who refuses to implement decisions on these powers.

    “The commission under the present leadership of Sir Mike Okiro, is not a mere rubber stamp agency. It carries out its duties diligently and in accordance with set out guidelines.

    “It also in the discharge of this duties, takes the IGP into consideration as the operational head of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “The 1999 Constitution, part 111, (supplemental) (b), 215 (2) states; The Nigeria Police Force shall be under the command of the Inspector General of Police.”

    On postings of command CPs, the commission  said it naturally allows the IG, who works with the officers and who knows their operational capabilities to recommend to it.

    On special promotions, the commission explained that it has given the IG guidelines that should govern his recommendations, adding that all recommendations to the commission on special promotion has been put on hold pending when he complies with the guidelines.

    On the claim that the commission has outlived its usefulness, the commission said: “That the current PSC has outlived its usefulness is a joke taken too far by Tosan. If what she meant was failure to rein in the IG, then she should take another look at the constitution and the enabling Act of the National Assembly setting up the commission.”

  • PSC: Misau’s retirement followed due process

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has laid to rest controversy surrounding the retirement letter of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isah Misau, from the Police .

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris had alleged that the senator was a deserter, adding that his retirement letter from the Force was forged.

    The controversy arose after Misau accused the IGP of collecting bribes from some officers before they were promoted.

    But, the PSC yesterday said the letter was not forged and that the senator’s retirement from the Force followed due process.

    The commission said it issued the letter to the senator.

    Misau, who was expected to appear yesterday by 11am before the panel set up by the commission to confirm  the authenticity of his letter, however, failed to show up.

    The commission explained that the panel headed by Justice Olufunlola Adekeye went ahead with the meeting and found out that his retirement letter was authentic and was done based on recommendation from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    Confirming the authenticity of the letter to The Nation, the commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said: “The senator did not honour the invitation but the panel still went ahead to sit.

    “At the meeting,  the panel made some inquiry and they confirmed that the commission issued the letter and that it was based on recommendation for retirement from the Force Headquarters.

    “The police normally recommends people to us for retirement. So, the recommendation came to the commission and Misau’s name was included.”

    Ani added: “We just confirmed that the retirement followed due process. The letter was dated March 5, 2014  to take  effect from December 1, 2010.

    “The commission has gone through their document and confirmed that we issued the letter with reference number; PSC/1034/V8/244.  What are simply saying is that we gave him the letter of retirement.”

  • Police promote 6,455 senior officers

    Police promote 6,455 senior officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday approved the promotion of 6,455 senior police officers following the recommendation of the Inspector- General of Police, Idris Ibrahim.

    The Commission also returned to the IGP all recommendations relating to special promotions.

    The Head of Press at the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, disclosed these in a statement in Abuja.

    The statement said: “Those promoted are – ACP Hilda Ibifuro –Harrison who is now promoted to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG) while two Deputy Commissioners of Police, Ajani Olasupo Babatunde and Olukola Taira Shina were promoted to the rank of Commissioners of Police.

    “47 Superintendents of Police were elevated to Chief Superintendents of Police and 498 Deputy Superintendents of Police promoted to the next rank of Superintendents of Police.

    “5,907 Inspectors were also promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendents of Police, Mohimi D. Edgal and Aji Ali Janga, Deputy Commissioners of Police were appointed acting Commissioners of Police.”

    The PSC said the promotions and other decisions signed by the Commission’s Chairman, Mike Okiro, would be conveyed to the IGP for implementation.

  • ‎Disregard Complaints Against Promotion  exercise, PSC urged

    A Civil Society Organisation, The Progressives yesterday lauded the reward system embarked upon by the Inspector General of Police‎, Ibrahim Idris for police officers who have distinguished themselves in fighting crime.
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    The group in a statement issued by its Executive Director, O.M Atoyebi Esq also called on the Police Service Commission to disregard complaints of  some  persons against the said reward system put in place by the IGP.
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    The group noted that the Police Service Commission approved special promotions for some police officers across the ranks, adjudged to merit same and the complaint being made by some persons either because they are not affected or simply because they hate to see hardwork being rewarded.
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    Atoyebi further noted that the complaint which followed the approval of the special promotion of some deserving officers, made by few disgruntled‎ officers, hiding under different names is not unusual.
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    “The current IGP has adopted a reward system as a crime prevention and detection strategy. He has announced in public meetings and places that any person who performs well in the performance of his police duties will be rewarded with special promotion. He has directed Commissioners of Police of States and Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police in-charge of the zones to recommend persons with exemplary performance for promotion
    “The first batch of such recommendation at the Police Service Commission has been approved. And instead of people to work hard and ‎earn such promotion at the appropriate time, they are busy complaining.
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    “The Evans, Vampire, Turkish University kidnapping, the Ikorodu School kidnapping, the Third Mainland Bridge attempted bombing, the arrest of high profile kidnappers terrorising Kaduna-Abuja highway and many other high profile breakthrough so numerous to mention are instructive to the success of the strategy.
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    “What is wrong in normalising the positions of the Commissioners of police Anambra, Cross Rivers, POLAC, Legal Sections, FEDOPS and many others who are occupying higher duty post? Normalising such positions has always been so since the time of colonial master”.
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    The group further noted noted that for providence sake, it has never happened in the history of the Nigeria Police Force, that the Police Service Commission will reverse their approval for promotions after it has been given.
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    “The Nuhu Ribadu and other Police Officers promotions which were reversed sometime ago was because the promotion was not approved by the Police Service Commission. Once Police Service Commission approves promotion, it stands except the person is demoted for disciplinary matters”, the group stated.
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    ‎The group however tasked the Chairman of PSC to disregard and discountenance the complaints of persons under whatever name so called from being a clog in the wheel of progress.
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    “They are enemies of hard work, enemies of progress and disgruntled in all ramifications as they only work in lucrative places and want to make money and at the same time get promoted.
    Sir, the Police Service Commission should not allow itself to be dragged into scandal by listening to these groups of persons”, it stated‎
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  • Edo, Taraba, Anambra, Kwara get new CPs

    Edo, Taraba, Anambra, Kwara get new CPs

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the redeployment of four Commissioners of Police to Edo, Taraba, Anambra and Kwara States.

    Their redeployment, according to the Commission would aid effective and efficient policing in line with its commitment to re-engineer the police force for optimal results.

    The Head of Press, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    The statement reads: “Those affected are – CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, CP Armament, who is now in charge of the Edo State Command; CP David A. Akinremi, CP and Deputy Force Secretary, who has been moved to head the Taraba State Command; Ag CP Garba Baba Umar redeployed from Bayelsa State Command to Anambra State Command and CP Lawan Ado, CP General Investigation (FCIID), who has been posted to head the Kwara State Command.”

    The Commission noted that postings have been communicated to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for implementation.

    The Chairman of the PSC, Mike Okiro, urged the affected officers to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation.

     

     

  • Unpaid salary: Court adjourns suit against PSC till June 8

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, has fixed June 8 for hearing of the suit instituted by one Uduak Akpan, against the Police Service Commission (PSC) over non-payment of salaries and emoluments since 1997.

    Akpan, who retired as a Superintendent of Police on January 2, 2015, sued the commission over unpaid salary and emoluments while he was in service.

    According to the claimant, he was not paid his salaries and emoluments between 1997 and 2009, while he was still in service.

    When the case came up on Thursday, Justice Edith Agbakoba, adjourned hearing to enable the respondents cross examined Akpan.

    Earlier, the claimant, led in evidence by his counsel, Mr. John Ainetor, had told the court to adopt his witness’s statement on oath as his evidence in the suit.

    The claimant is also asking the court to order the respondents to pay him damages for their failure to pay his entitlements as at when due.

    The claimant also joined the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police as co- respondents in the suit.

    The respondents were not represented in court by counsel.

    NAN

  • PSC confirms Lakanu as AIG

    PSC confirms Lakanu as AIG

    •24 officers promoted

    THE Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 25 senior police officers to their next ranks.
    A statement by the commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said the promotions were based on merit, seniority and availability of vacancies and that in future the commission will ensure that promotions are regular in the police force.
    Ani said the former Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP. Taiwo Fredrick Lakanu, is among the beneficiaries. He was elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).
    It also includes three Assistant Commissioners of Police, who were promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioners; one Chief Superintendent of Police, who moved to the rank of Assistant Commissioner; two Superintendents , who are now Chief Superintendents and four Deputy Superintendent , who were promoted to the rank of Superintendents. Others are six Assistant Superintendents of Police, who were moved to the rank of Deputy Superintendents and eight Inspectors, who are now Assistant Superintendents.
    AIG Lakanu was enlisted into the Nigeria Police as a Cadet ASP and he has served in various commands, formations and departments, including Operations, Investigations and Administration.
    “As head of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lagos, he earned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gallantry Award for his contributions to reducing the spate of crime in Lagos, from where he was later appointed as the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the IGP,” the statement added.
    AIG Lakanu was also a former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, before he was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command. He also served briefly as the Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Nigeria Airport Command, before his posting as the 31st Commissioner of Police, Imo State.
    The Chairman of the commission, Dr. Mike Okiro, a retired IGP, congratulated the officers and urged them to continue to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland.

  • Police job: PSC to consider candidates on ‘waiting list’

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday said candidates placed on reserve list would be considered for employment in the ongoing police recruitment exercise.

    At least 10,000 people will be recruited into the Nigeria Police Force at the end of the exercise.

    PSC noted that candidates will be considered in line with available vacancies at various training police colleges across the country.

    The commission added that candidates in Specialists Cadre will be invited for interview before their final selection.

    The PSC Head of Press and Public Relations Unit, Ikechukwu Ani, disclosed these in a statement on Thursday.

    The statement reads: “The Police Service Commission wishes to inform applicants into the Nigeria Police Force who were placed on the Reserve list after the completion of the selection exercise in December 2016 that their recruitment is still being considered.

    “Similarly candidates in the Specialists Cadre scheduled for interview before their final selection, will be invited for interview at the appropriate time.

    “This clarification is coming in the wake of the fact that the 2016 successful candidates are already in various police training schools and applicants on the Reserve list will be considered in line with available vacancies from the Training Colleges.

    “Commission is awaiting reports from the Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State, and the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, where candidates for ASPs and Inspectors respectively, are currently undergoing training.

    “The reports from these Training Colleges are expected to contain the status of the trainees, state by state, after the required screening at the Colleges which include medical examination.

    “Established vacancies will be filled from the shortlisted reserve list from the states where they occur based strictly on their placement on the reserve list.”