Reps probe promotion of some police officers

The house of representatives has mandated its committee on police affairs to investigate the promotions of some police officers.

The committee was asked to find out if the promotions were done in compliance with the provisions of the constitution and the general promotion guidelines of the Nigeria Police Force.

The decision of the house was sequel to a motion sponsored by Frederick Agbedi, a lawmaker from Bayelsa state, on Wednesday.

While moving the motion, Agbedi noted that the Police Service Commission is saddled with the responsibility to appoint and promote persons to offices.

The lawmaker alleged that Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), promoted some officers of the force without recourse to the guidelines.

“By virtue of the provisions of Section 160 (1) of the Constitution, the Police Service Commission is empowered to make rules to regulate its own procedures or confer power and impose duties on any officer or authority for the purpose of discharging its function and in the exercise of the powers, the Police Service Commission, in 2014, approved the general promotion guidelines for the promotion of officers,” he said.

“The inspector-general of police (IGP) has appointed and posted state commissioners of police and promoted some officers of the force without recourse to the general promotion guidelines
or the Police Service Commission, a development which the commission frowned at and has threatened to review those appointments and demote such officers.

“Some of the benefiting officers who felt aggrieved by the decision of the commission have threatened litigation if the said decision to demote them is carried out while those due, but denied promotion are also spoiling for action.

“Desirous of the need to ensure professionalism and discipline in the Nigeria Police Force to make sure same is perceived positively locally and internationally.”

The motion was adopted by the house after it was put to a voice vote by Yakubu Dogara, the speaker.

The committee is expected to report back to the house in eight weeks.