The Police Service Commission (PSC) has expressed its concerns over the ongoing disputes following the release of the list of successful candidates for recruitment as Constables into the Nigeria Police Force.
In a recent press release by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, made available to newsmen in Abuja, the PSC highlighted several issues:
- The release of a confidential letter from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to the PSC Chairman regarding alleged recruitment lapses to the media was a significant breach of Public Service Rules.
- Since 2019, the PSC claims it has been prevented from performing its constitutional duty of recruitment due to interference by the Police, despite a Supreme Court ruling in its favor.
- The PSC condemned the use of media campaigns and alleged inducements to undermine its mandate.
The PSC demanded the Police provide verifiable evidence to support their allegations, asserting that due process was meticulously followed during the recruitment exercise. The Commission insisted on a forensic audit of the recruitment lists using the JAMB computer-based test results.
Citing the Supreme Court Judgment of July 11, 2023, the PSC reaffirmed its exclusive authority in recruiting Constables, emphasizing that any role claimed by the Police in this process is a contempt of court. Despite inviting stakeholders for transparency, the PSC believes its inclusiveness has been misconstrued.
The PSC criticized the Police’s claim that recruitment failures are linked to their inability to protect lives and property, noting that the recruitment screenings were handled by Police personnel. Therefore, any flaws in the recruitment process should be attributed to those personnel.
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The PSC appealed to the President to ensure the Police respect the Commission’s constitutional mandate, advocating for the immediate commencement of training for the successful candidates.
