The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of seven senior police officers over gross misconduct.
In a plenary meeting held Tuesday and presided over by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC (rtd), the commission also approved the demotion of 10 other officers.
Its decision was communicated via a statement titled, ‘PSC Approves Dismissal Of 7 Senior Police Officers Over Gross Misconduct, Reduces The Ranks Of Ten Other, Exonerates 4 Officers’ issued by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations for the PSC.
The statement read in part, “The dismissed officers were; one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), a Superintendent of Police (SP) and five Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP). A Superintendent of Police (SP) was also retired in the public interest.
“The Commission’s Plenary Meeting presided over by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC (rtd) considered all the Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM) before the Commission totaling 47 and also treated some appeals from dismissed Police Officers.
“The Commission reduced the ranks of one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Superintendent of Police (SP), three Superintendents of Police (SP) to Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), and two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) to Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP).The Commission further reduced the ranks of four Assistant Superintendents of Police to Inspectors.
“Ten senior Police Officers, including an Assistant Commissioner, a Chief Superintendent, a Superintendent and two Deputy Superintendents were given the punishment of Severe reprimand. Five Assistant Superintendents were also awarded the punishment of severe reprimand.
“Thirteen Officers received the punishment of reprimand; two are to receive letters of warning while four officers were exonerated.
“The Acting Chairman said the Commission would henceforth give the desired attention to Pending Disciplinary Matters so that those found guilty are punished immediately while those found not guilty are cleared to continue with their career progression. Justice Ogunbiyi called on Police Officers to ensure they operate within established rules and avoid taking laws into their hands.”
The panel is scheduled to conclude sitting on Thursday.
