The Police Service Commission (PSC) has countered criticism from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) regarding its handling of the 2022 police constable recruitment process, following criticism from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
According to a statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani the Commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations on Friday, the PSC expressed concern over what it termed “flagrant abuse of ethics, the Constitution and valid judgment of the apex court of the land” in relation to the recruitment process.
The commission’s statement comes in response to allegations of irregularities in the recruitment exercise, made public by the Inspector General of Police. The PSC called this release of confidential communication “a gross violation of the Public Service Rules with grave consequences.”
Recalls that the police high command rejects the list of successful candidates in the ongoing police constables’ recruitment exercise conducted by the Police Service Commission (PSC), citing alleged irregularities and corruption.
Referencing a 2019 incident where a former Inspector General of Police allegedly “hijacked” an ongoing recruitment exercise, the PSC stated that it has since been prevented from performing its constitutional duty of police recruitment.
The statement read, “The Commission has at every turn suffered several indignities in its attempt to perform functions provided to it by the Constitution even after the Supreme Court decided the matter in its favour.”
The PSC further asserted that due process was meticulously followed throughout the 2022 recruitment exercise. It insisted on its prerogative to exercise full control over recruitments into the Nigeria Police Force, citing a Supreme Court judgment delivered on July 11, 2023, which affirmed the Commission’s “exclusive” statutory authority in the recruitment of constables.
In response to allegations of recruiting unqualified candidates, the PSC stated, “The assertion of recruiting persons who will commit suicide and who are deaf and dumb is uncharitable and preposterous.” It pointed out that physical and medical screenings during recruitment are handled by police personnel.
The Commission proposed a forensic audit of its list of successful candidates and that of the police, using the results of the JAMB computer-based test.
The PSC appealed to the President to protect its constitutional mandate and ensure the Nigeria Police Force respects the law. It recommended that the successful candidates from the 2022 recruitment should be allowed to proceed to training without further delay.
