In a statement released on Friday by Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations at the PSC, the commission expressed deep concern over what it perceives as attempts by the NPF to tarnish its reputation.

Ani stated, “The Commission has at every turn suffered several indignities in its attempt to perform functions provided to it by the Constitution even after the Supreme Court decided the matter in its favour.”

He further accused the NPF of resorting to “brute force and intimidation” and alleged inducements of media personnel to discredit the Commission.

“This is a serious affront to the mandate of the Commission,” Ani added.

The controversy stems from conflicting claims over the recruitment process.

The NPF, through its spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, had earlier rejected the list of recruited candidates provided by the PSC, claiming discrepancies on their portal.

Adejobi asserted, “Several names of persons purported to be names of successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise.”

In response, the PSC emphasised that due process was meticulously followed throughout the recruitment exercise.

Ani highlighted the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2023 judgment which affirmed the Commission’s authority over recruitment, refuting assertions by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun that the police were not excluded from the process.

Egbetokun, in his defense, stated that while the Supreme Court gave recruitment powers to the PSC, it did not explicitly exclude the NPF from involvement.

He clarified, “The judgment and even the Constitution did not give the Police any role in the recruitment of any cadre of Officers into the Police Force.”

The dispute escalated with accusations from both sides regarding the integrity of past recruitment exercises.

Ani criticised previous police-led recruitments, alleging, “It is the fraudulent Recruits they brought into the system during these exercises that are currently haunting the Nigeria Police Force.”

The PSC called upon President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the Commission’s mandate is respected.

Ani appealed, “It is the considered opinion of the Commission that the successful candidates should be allowed to proceed on training without delay.”

The post PSC Challenges Police Over Recruitment Dispute first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post PSC Challenges Police Over Recruitment Dispute appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has raised concerns over alleged irregularities and corruption in the recently released list of successful candidates for the 2022/23 Police Constables Recruitment Exercise by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, it was revealed that the list published on the Police Service Commission (PSC) portal includes numerous names of individuals who did not apply for the recruitment exercise and thus did not participate in any phase of it.

“The published list contains several names of candidates who either failed the Computer Based Test (CBT), the physical screening exercise, or both,” the statement noted.

Also, the statement further highlighted that individuals who were deemed medically unfit after standard medical tests and were disqualified from the exercise somehow appeared on the list of successful candidates.

“The most troubling aspect is the allegation of financial dealings and corrupt practices leading to the inclusion of unqualified and untrainable individuals on the list,” it added.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) reportedly expressed objections to the list in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission on June 10, 2024. The objections emphasized the discrepancies and irregularities discovered, underscoring the Police’s concern over the recruitment process.

“While recognizing the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Commission’s authority to recruit for the police, the Police reiterated that this authority does not extend to recruiting unqualified and untrained individuals,” the statement clarified.

The Police Service Commission, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on its recruitment powers, had constituted a Joint Recruitment Board to oversee the process. However, according to the statement, the Board was allegedly hampered and prevented from fulfilling its mandate, culminating in a final list that was not endorsed by the Board itself.

Consequently, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has distanced itself from the published list and called for a comprehensive review process that ensures transparency and credibility.

The statement emphasized the Police’s commitment to recruiting qualified, competent, trainable, and productive individuals into the force, aligning with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on police reform.

The recruitment exercise has been fraught with controversy, including the resignation of the former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith, in 2023 amidst ongoing disputes over recruitment procedures.

The Police Service Commission had advertised the recruitment for constables, prompting conflicting notices from both the Commission and the Police regarding their respective roles in the recruitment process.

In its statement, the Nigeria Police Force urged the public to disregard the Commission’s recruitment notices, asserting that recruitment processes remain solely within the purview of the Police Force.

The post Nigeria: Police Allege Irregularities, Corruption in Recruitment Process first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Nigeria: Police Allege Irregularities, Corruption in Recruitment Process appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.