The Police Service Commission (PSC) has denied allegations that senior police officers paid ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), describing the claims as false and defamatory.
The commission was responding to a report published by SaharaReporters on Saturday, which alleged that some officers bribed officials of the PSC to secure promotion from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, the commission said it viewed the publication with “grave concern” and rejected the allegations in their entirety.
According to the statement, the promotions followed due process and were carried out in line with established guidelines governing the commission’s activities.
The PSC explained that it is constitutionally empowered to handle the appointment, promotion and discipline of police officers, except the Inspector-General of Police, and that its operations are conducted with transparency and in compliance with public service rules.
“Contrary to the narrative peddled by the online publication, the promotion of the senior officers from Chief Superintendent of Police to Assistant Commissioner of Police followed due process and established guidelines of the Commission,” the statement said.
The commission also dismissed references in the report to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, describing them as misleading and intended to give credibility to what it called a baseless allegation.
It clarified that the role of the Inspector-General in the promotion process is limited to recommending officers based on available vacancies and performance, while the final approval rests with the PSC.
“The reference in the report to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police is mischievous and calculated to lend false credence to a baseless story,” the commission stated.
The PSC further described claims that promotions were influenced by payments as an attack on the integrity of its board members who supervise the exercise.
“To suggest that the Commission operates a ‘pay-to-play’ system is an insult to the integrity of the Board Members who oversee these exercises,” the statement added.
The commission also addressed documents referenced in the report, including an internal police wireless message, noting that they only confirmed the approval of promotions and were part of routine administrative communication.
“The documents referenced only confirm that promotions were approved, which is a routine administrative function. They do not substantiate the malicious allegation of financial transactions,” the statement said.
The PSC urged the public to disregard the report and reaffirmed its commitment to merit-based promotions within the police force.
It also disclosed that it is considering legal action against SaharaReporters over what it described as defamation and damage to the commission’s reputation.
