The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed allegations that police promotions were monetised, describing the claims as unfounded and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of both the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs of the Commission, Torty Njoku Kalu, expressed concern over a report by an online news outlet alleging that senior police officers paid N5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
Kalu said the Commission categorically rejects the allegations, stressing that promotions within the Nigeria Police Force are conducted based on merit and in line with established procedures.
“The Commission categorically denies these unfounded allegations in their entirety and regards the report as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage the integrity of the Commission,” he said.
According to the PSC, the promotion of officers from Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) followed due process and complied fully with the Commission’s statutory framework.
The Commission explained that as the body responsible for the appointment, promotion and discipline of police officers—except the Inspector-General of Police—it conducts its activities with transparency and strict adherence to Public Service Rules and best practices.
The PSC also described references to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police in the report as mischievous, clarifying that the role of the IGP is limited to forwarding recommendations based on performance and available vacancies.
It emphasised that final approval for promotions rests solely with the Commission, adding that any suggestion of a “pay-to-play” system undermines the integrity of the Board members overseeing the promotion process.
The Commission further challenged the news platform behind the report to present credible evidence to substantiate its claims rather than rely on anonymous “insider sources”.
According to the PSC, documents cited in the report, including internal police wireless messages, only confirm routine administrative approvals of promotions and do not provide evidence of financial transactions.
The Commission urged members of the public to disregard the report and reaffirmed its commitment to merit-based promotions and effective oversight of the Nigeria Police Force.
It also encouraged any officer or member of the public with credible evidence of misconduct to submit petitions directly to the Commission.
Finally, the PSC disclosed that it is considering legal action against Sahara Reporters over the publication, citing alleged defamation and damage to the Commission’s reputation.
Linus Aleke in Abuja
