The Police Service Commission has rejected allegations that senior police officers paid N5m each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, describing the claim as false and damaging to the reputation of the commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
The commission also said it is considering legal action against the online platform that published the report, accusing it of spreading misleading information and attempting to tarnish the image of the institution.
The controversy began after an online report claimed that some senior officers allegedly paid bribes to officials of the commission in order to be promoted from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police to Assistant Commissioner of Police. The report suggested that the alleged payments were part of a secret arrangement to influence the promotion process.
However, the Police Service Commission strongly denied the allegation. In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs of the commission, Mr. Torty Kalu, said the claim was unfounded and should be disregarded by the public.
According to Kalu, the promotion of senior officers from CSP to ACP followed the laid-down procedures and guidelines of the commission. He said the report was a reckless attempt to discredit both the commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
“The commission categorically denies these unfounded allegations in their entirety and describes the report as a reckless attempt to tarnish the image of both the commission and the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement said.
Kalu explained that the commission takes the promotion process seriously and ensures that officers are promoted strictly on merit, performance, and available vacancies within the police structure.
He also addressed claims in the report that mentioned the immediate past Inspector General of Police. According to the commission, the reference was misleading and intended to give credibility to what it described as baseless allegations.
The commission explained that the Inspector General of Police does not have the final authority to approve promotions. Instead, the Inspector General’s role is limited to forwarding recommendations to the Police Service Commission based on factors such as vacancies, performance records, and service history.
“The final decision and approval for promotions remain the responsibility of the Police Service Commission,” the statement added.
The commission noted that this system was put in place to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the promotion of police officers across the country.
Established by the Nigerian Constitution, the Police Service Commission is responsible for the appointment, promotion, discipline, and dismissal of members of the Nigeria Police Force, except the Inspector General of Police. The commission is expected to serve as an independent oversight body that helps maintain professionalism and integrity within the police.
Over the years, concerns about corruption and lack of transparency have occasionally been raised regarding recruitment and promotion processes within the police. These concerns have led to increased public attention whenever allegations of bribery or irregularities surface.
In its statement, the commission insisted that it remains committed to upholding high standards in the management of police personnel. It said strict procedures are followed before any promotion is approved, including reviewing officers’ service records, years of experience, and performance evaluations.
The commission also warned that spreading unverified allegations could damage public confidence in important national institutions.
As a result, it said it is considering taking legal steps against the publication responsible for the report. According to the commission, the move is aimed at protecting its reputation and preventing the spread of false information.
While the commission did not give details of the possible legal action, officials said the option of filing a defamation lawsuit is being examined.
Kalu urged members of the public to disregard the report and rely on official statements from the commission regarding police promotions.
He also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fairness and accountability in its oversight of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The commission remains dedicated to ensuring merit-based promotions and effective oversight of the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.
The Nigeria Police Force is one of the country’s largest security institutions, with thousands of officers serving across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Promotions within the force are seen as an important step in maintaining morale and encouraging professionalism among officers.
For now, the Police Service Commission maintains that the promotion exercise in question followed all established procedures and that no officer paid money to secure advancement in rank.
