This was sequel to a motion on “A call to implement recommendations of the Police Service Commission sponsored by House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda.
Leading the debate, the lawmaker noted on behalf of the House that the incidents of non-implementation by the IGP of recommendations by PSC for the promotion of qualified officers and men of the NPF.
He noted that NPF was created under Section 214(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), pursuant to Section 4 of the Police Act and empowered, among other things for the “Prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property, and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged.
“The House is aware that the IGP is appointed by the President of the country on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council, according to Section 215(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended);
“The House is further aware that the PSC is statutorily created and charged with responsibility for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of persons (other than the office of the IGP) in the Nigeria Police Force;
“The House observed that earlier in 2023, the PSC, in the exercise of its statutory responsibilities, at one of its meetings approved the promotion of several police officers, a notice of which was duly conveyed to the IGP to release signal and accordingly effect the same,
“Cognizant of the fact that the IGP subsequently ignored the PSC recommendation and deliberately neglected and/or refused to effect the release, despite measures taken by the PSC for him to do so;
“The House is concerned that the IGP’s refusal to act on the PSC’s recommendation is not in the best interest of the men and officers of the NPF and the country at large;
“The House is worried that unless swift measures are immediately taken to implement the PSC’s recommendations, the morale, commitment, and dedication to duty of the affected men and officers of the NPF are likely to be negatively affected.”
The lawmakers, therefore, urged the IGP to “Immediately implement the recommendation of the Police Service Commission with respect to the promotion of the concerned men and officers of the NPF.”
This is just as it mandated the Committees on Police Affairs and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
