Recruitment row: PSC workers tackle police, say IGP usurping commission’s power

Workers at the Police Service Commission (PSC) have faulted the rejection of the constable recruitment list by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

In a statement released on Saturday, the joint union congress of PSC wondered why the commission only faces confrontation from police during the recruitment of personnel.

The NPF had earlier said the ongoing recruitment exercise was marred by alleged corruption and irregularities.

Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the published list of candidates contains names of candidates who “failed either the computer-based test (CBT) or the physical screening exercise or both”.

Adejobi said some of those disqualified over medical issues “also made the list of successful candidates as published by the PSC”.

On June 4, the PSC released the list of successful applicants for constable and specialist cadre roles.

The commission said the successful applicants were from the 774 LGAs in the country.

‘WE WON’T SUCCUMB TO POLICE BLACKMAIL’

The PSC workers said the press statement released by the force spokesperson is not “only in bad state but diversionary” and that the commission is constitutionally empowered to recruit police personnel.

The workers said the claim that the police recruitment board was crippled is “fallacious”, adding that the board met several times before the release of the successful candidates.

“It is sad to note that despite the unambiguity in the powers of the Police Service Commission (PSC) as clearly spelt out by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the subsequent interpretation of such powers by the supreme court, the Nigeria Police Force will still not allow the commission exercise its constitutional powers to appoint persons into the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement reads.

“This clandestine scheming by the inspector-general of police to usurp such powers is obviously an affront on both the Nigerian constitution and judgment of the supreme court.

“The claim that the recruitment board was crippled and was not allowed to function was no doubt a fallacy as the board several times met before the release of the list of successful candidates.

“The same board met and endorsed the list that was released on the 4th of June, 2024 at their usual meeting point — PSC corporate headquarters — with the DIG training, Mr Frank Mba and other police representatives in attendance.

“Meanwhile, it is also worthy of note that the police had shortlisted and concluded the exercise without the knowledge of the board and PSC.

“They had the effrontery to submit the list to the commission. They wanted a meeting of the board where they had planned to force the list on the board but unfortunately, their plans collapsed.”

The PSC workers called for a forensic audit of computer-based test results of applicants and the list of successful candidates released by the commission.

The workers urged interested bodies to investigate the allegations made by the NPF.