Police Service Commission dismisses seven officers, demotes 10 others

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed seven senior police officers over what it described as gross misconduct.

The commission also demoted 10 officers to junior ranks for similar reasons.

The commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Ani said the decision was taken during the continuation of the 15th plenary of the commission.

He said the meeting which was presided over by its acting chairman, Clara Ogunbiyi, a retired justice of the Supreme Court, considered all the Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM) before the commission.

The dismissed Officers were one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), a Superintendent of Police (SP) and five Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP).

A Superintendent of Police (SP) was also retired in public interest.

Read the full statement:

POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION

PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

PRESS RELEASE

PSC APPROVES DISMISSAL OF 7 SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS OVER GROSS MISCONDUCT, REDUCES THE RANKS OF TEN OTHERS, EXONERATES 4 OFFICERS

The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of seven senior Police Officers over gross misconduct. The Commission also approved the reduction in rank of ten other officers. The decisions were taken at the ongoing 15th Plenary Meeting of the Commission which is expected to end on Thursday, October 6th, 2022.

ALSO READ: Police Commission appoints two DIGs, promotes 427 senior officersThe dismissed Officers were, one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), a Superintendent of Police (SP) and five Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP). A Superintendent of Police (SP) was also retired in public interest.

The Commission’s Plenary Meeting presided over by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC (rtd) considered all the Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM) before the Commission totalling 47 and also treated some appeals from dismissed Police Officers.

The Commission reduced the ranks of one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Superintendent of Police (SP), three Superintendents of Police (SP) to Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), and two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) to Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP). The Commission further reduced the ranks of four Assistant Superintendents of Police to Inspectors.

Ten senior Police Officers, including an Assistant Commissioner, a Chief Superintendent, a Superintendent and two Deputy Superintendents were given the punishment of Severe reprimand. Five Assistant Superintendents were also awarded the punishment of severe reprimand.

Thirteen Officers received the punishment of reprimand; two are to receive letters of warning while four officers were exonerated.

The Acting Chairman said the Commission would henceforth give the desired attention to Pending Disciplinary Matters so that those found guilty are punished immediately while those found not guilty are cleared to continue with their career progression. Justice Ogunbiyi called on Police Officers to ensure they operate within established rules and avoid taking laws into their hands.

She said the Commission will continue to work to sustain a professional Police Force that operates in line with the established rules and regulations and in conformity with international best practices.

Ikechukwu Ani

Head, Press and Public Relations

Tuesday, 4th October 2022