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By Gabriel Okoro – Abuja
The House of Representatives on Wednesday called for probe on the alleged promotion of police officers by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.
The green chamber also want threat of demotion of the officers by the Police Service Commission be probed into.
These decisions are sequel to a motion sponsored Mr. Frederick Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) during plenary.
Speaking about the motion, Mr. Agbedi revealed that the police boss has appointed and posted State Commissioners of Police and promoted some officers of the Force without recourse to the General Promotion Guidelines or the Police Service Commission, a development which the Commission frowned at.
He further revealed that the IGP threatened to review those appointments and demote such officers.
“Some of the benefiting officers who felt aggrieved by the decision of the Commission have threatened litigation if the said decision to demote them is carried out while those due, but denied promotion are also spoiling for action”, said the lawmaker.
Mr. Agbedi explained that by virtue of the provision of Section 153(1) and paragraphs 30(a) and (b)of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) the power to appoint, promote, dismiss and dismiss and discipline officers of the Nigeria Police Force (other than the Inspector General of Police) falls within the exclusive purview of the Police Service Commission.
He added that by virtue of provisions of Section 160(1) of the Constitution, the Police Service Commission is empowered to make rules to regulate its own procedures or confer power and impose duties on any officer or authority for the purpose of discharging its function and in the exercise of the powers, the Police Service Commission, in 2014, approved the General Promotion Guidelines for the promotion of officers.
The motion was unanimously adopted by members when put to voice vote by Speaker Yakubu Dogara who presided.
The House Committee on Police Affairs was therefore mandated to investigate and ascertain the propriety of the said appointment and promotions whether they were done in compliance with the provisions of Constitution and the General Promotion Guidelines of the Nigeria Police Force and report findings within eight weeks for further legislative action.
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