PSC Deranks Commissioner Of Police, Sanctions Others For Misconduct

By Ayodele Oni

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has approved disciplinary action against 47 erring police officers. Three of them were slammed with outright dismissal.

The dismissed officers, whose names were not disclosed, but of senior ranks, were found guilty of  misconduct and abuse of office.

Those whose ranks were reduced, include a Commissioner of Police. Some were reprimanded, while others were issued with letters of warning.

A statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the  Commission arrived at the decisions at its 21st plenary meeting which took place at its Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja on Thursday July 6, 2023.

The meeting was presided over by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Commissioner representing the Judiciary, who stood in for Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase.

The PSC spokesman also said that the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Arase welcomed members during the plenary via zoom and commended them for  attending to disciplinary matters, saying that it was in line with his promise not to do anything that will impede the career progression of any Officer.

The Commission, during the meeting, also approved the compulsory retirement of an Assistant Commissioner of Police and directed a refund of all entitlements wrongly paid to him.

Specifically, the PSC approved posthumous promotion of late Inspector Ifeanyi Oroke to the next rank of ASP 11 for acts of gallantry and reinstated one dismissed Inspector Augustina Oko to take effect from the date she was dismissed.

The Commission also approved the punishment of severe reprimand on 16 officers and reprimand for another 18 and directed that letters of warning be issued to two other Officers.

Similarly, the Commission approved an appeal for adjustment on the date of promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police of Woke Iheanyi Kingsley and the reinstatement of CSP Anaele Samuel Onuoha in compliance with a Court judgment.