PSC Dismisses 18 Officers, Reprimands Others.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of 18 senior police officers, including 10 Assistant Superintendents, four Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents, and one Superintendent. The Commission announced that several other officers found guilty of misconduct received varying punishments, such as severe reprimands, reprimands, and warning letters.
It further revealed that most of the dismissed officers would also face prosecution by the Nigeria Police Force's Legal Unit. The PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the suspensions were part of far-reaching decisions made by the Commission in its last segment of its first Plenary Meeting in Abuja.
The cases treated by the PSC include 110 Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM), and 23 Appeals and petition cases with 13 court judgements seeking for compliance. The Commission also addressed three pending disciplinary cases, requesting additional information from the Inspector General of Police. Additionally, it reviewed 23 appeals, petitions, and nine legal matters or court judgments.
During the plenary meeting, chaired by Commission Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), and attended by DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd) and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, Argungu emphasized the need for swift resolution of disciplinary matters.
He stated this would allow officers found innocent to continue their careers and those guilty to face appropriate consequences. Argungu warned that the Commission would not tolerate police involvement in civil disputes such as land, marital, or rent-related issues, urging officers to focus on criminal cases and threats to life while allowing the courts to handle civil matters.