The Police Service Commission (PSC) has expressed deep concern over recent developments following the release of the list of successful candidates for recruitment as Constables into the Nigeria Police Force. The Commission has accused the Nigeria Police Force of undermining the constitutional and legal process established for police recruitment.

In a press release issued on June 21, 2024, Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations for the PSC, highlighted several issues:

1. Violation of Public Service Rules: The PSC condemned the release of a confidential letter from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to the media, calling it a gross violation of Public Service Rules.

2. Usurpation of PSC’s Role: Since 2019, the PSC claims that the Nigeria Police Force has repeatedly interfered with its constitutional mandate to oversee police recruitment, even after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the PSC.

3. Intimidation and Media Manipulation: The PSC accused the police of using intimidation tactics and media campaigns to undermine the Commission’s authority.

The PSC emphasized that due process was followed in the recruitment exercise and asserted its right to control police recruitment. It called for a forensic audit of the recruitment lists from both the PSC and the police, using results from the JAMB computer-based test as a benchmark.

The Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2023, affirmed the PSC’s exclusive authority in recruiting police constables, nullifying any attempt by the police to appoint or recruit officers independently. The PSC reiterated that the police’s actions to control recruitment were in contempt of court.

The PSC also addressed allegations of poor recruitment standards, pointing out that physical and medical screenings are conducted by police personnel. It argued that if unsuitable candidates were recruited, the fault lay with the police officers who conducted the screenings.

The Commission appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the police respect the constitutional mandate of the PSC and to allow the successful candidates to proceed with their training without further delay.

In conclusion, the PSC reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and lawful recruitment processes, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s police recruitment system.