By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
Nigeria – The Police Service Commission, PSC, after rigorous consideration of the Pending Disciplinary Matters before it at the Plenary meeting, has approved the dismissal of Eighteen (18) senior Police Officers which comprised ten Assistant Superintendents, four Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents and one Superintendent.
Two (2) 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 Commission, as confirmed by the Commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, also approved the reduction in ranks of Nineteen (19) other senior Police Officers, one (1) Assistant Commissioner of Police, one (1) Chief Superintendent, two (2) Superintendents, two (2) Deputy Superintendents and thirteen (13) Assistant Superintendents.
According to Ani, several other officers found culpable received different punishments including, severe Reprimand, Reprimand and letter of warning.
“Most of the Officers dismissed are also to be prosecuted by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force. Three pending Disciplinary matters were stepped down with a request for further information from the Inspector General of Police.
“The Commission also considered 23 Appeals and petitions and nine legal matters/court judgements”, he stated.
The Commission had earlier considered and approved recommendations on several promotion matters which had since been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.
The Plenary Meeting, was chaired by Commission Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni and had DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, fdc, Honourable Commissioner and Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani also present.
The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Argungu, at the meeting, according to Ani said the Commission will henceforth 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 will not spare Police Officers who indulge in civil matters like land disputes, marital issues and rent related disputes.
“DIG 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”, Ani stated.
