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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed three senior police officers from the Nigeria Police Force over serious misconduct and conduct unbecoming of law enforcement officers.
The commission also approved the demotion of 16 other officers, issued severe reprimands to 21 officers and ordinary reprimands to two others found culpable of various disciplinary offences.
Three officers were, however, exonerated of allegations against them, while some previously suspended personnel were reinstated following a review of their cases.
The Head of Protocol and Public Relations of the commission, Torty Kalu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, explaining that the decisions were reached at the commission’s plenary meeting presided over by its Chairman, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (retd.), at the PSC headquarters.
According to Kalu, the disciplinary actions followed the consideration of cases and appeals brought before the commission, in line with its statutory responsibility to exercise disciplinary control over police officers, except the Inspector-General of Police.
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He said the commission remained committed to enforcing discipline and ethical standards within the Force, particularly in cases involving corruption, human rights abuses, unlawful interference in land disputes and civil matters, and other forms of professional misconduct.
Kalu said Argungu, while reaffirming the commission’s zero tolerance for such infractions, assured Nigerians that disciplinary matters involving police personnel would continue to receive prompt attention to ensure that erring officers were appropriately sanctioned.
The PSC chairman maintained that the commission would sustain efforts to strengthen accountability within the police system and ensure that officers entrusted with protecting lives and property conducted themselves in accordance with the law and established professional standards.
Argungu also commended members of the commission’s Standing Committee on Discipline and Legal Matters for their diligence in examining the disciplinary cases and appeals before presenting recommendations for consideration at the plenary.
Those commended included the committee chairman, Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (retd.); DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd.); Justice Christine Dabup (retd.); Abdulfatah Mohammed; the Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani; and the Director of the Police Discipline Department, Ferdinand U. Ekpe.
He acknowledged their contributions at the departmental, committee and plenary stages of the disciplinary proceedings, describing their commitment as vital to the commission’s efforts to maintain discipline and professionalism in the Nigeria Police Force.
