PSC Dismisses Seven Senior Police Officers, Demotes 10

The Police Service Commission, on Tuesday, announced the dismissal of seven senior police officers over alleged gross misconduct. The commission also approved the demotion of 10 other officers.

The decisions were taken during the continuation of the 15th plenary meeting of the Commission.

The meeting is expected to end on Thursday, October 6, 2022.

The meeting, presided over by the acting chairman of the PSC, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, considered all the pending disciplinary matters before the commission, totalling 47 and also treated some appeals from dismissed police officers.

Addressing journalists after the meeting in Abuja, the spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said the dismissed officers include a CSP, one SP and five ASPs, adding that one SP was also retired in public interest.

“The commission also reduced the ranks of a CSP to SP, three SPs to DSP, and two DSPs to ASPs, and reduced the ranks of four ASPs to Inspectors.

“10 senior police officers, including an ACP, a CSP, an SP, two DSPs, and five ASPs, were given the punishment of severe reprimand,” he said.

Of the 13 police officers that received the punishment of reprimand, two were to receive letters of warning, while four were exonerated.

According to Ani, Justice Ogunbiyi noted that 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,” he said.