PSC to NPF: Prove corruption claims in constable recruitment exercise

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to prove corruption claims in the recent constable recruitment exercise.

In a statement released on Friday, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC spokesperson, criticized the NPF for disregarding the commission’s mandate to recruit police personnel. The NPF had alleged that the recruitment process was flawed with irregularities and undue gratifications.

“The Commission demands that the Police provide verifiable evidence to support the allegations against it. It is clear that this is a case of defaming the commission,” the statement read.

Ani expressed the commission’s dismay at the blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s judgment, which reaffirmed the PSC’s constitutional mandate.

On June 15, the NPF rejected the PSC’s June 4 release of 10,000 successful applicants for constable and specialist cadre roles. Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, criticized the recruitment process as corrupt.

Adejobi claimed that the list of successful candidates included individuals who failed the computer-based test (CBT), the physical screening exercise, or both.

In response, the joint union congress of the PSC accused the police of attempting to compromise the recruitment exercise and called for the dismissal of Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police.

ALSO READ: Rivers is peaceful, safe, Fubara says amidst security crisis

The PSC spokesperson alleged that the NPF “hired writers to defame the commission” and noted that releasing the IGP’s letter publicly violated civil service rules.

Ani stated that it was “unfortunate and self-indicting” for the police to blame recruitment issues for their failure to combat banditry.

“Since 2019, when the Police forcefully took over the recruitment process from the commission, they have conducted the 2020 and 2021 exercises against the provisions of the law,” the statement continued.

“The fraudulent recruits from these exercises are now causing problems within the Nigeria Police Force.”

The commission believes these allegations are part of a calculated effort by the police to maintain control over the recruitment of constables, despite the Supreme Court ruling.

The PSC appealed to the President to protect the commission’s constitutional mandate and urged the NPF to respect this mandate.

Finally, the PSC spokesperson emphasized that successful candidates should be allowed to commence training without further delay.