From Haruna Tula – Abuja
The rumbles in the police have drawn the axe of the Police Service Commission (PSC) which has cut short services of certain serving police officers.
The SUPREME reported two weeks ago that, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun had ordered investigation of the following officers: AIG Abdul Yari,, Idowu Owohunwa, one time Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), now AIG in-charge of INTERPOL National Central Bureau, and Ben Igwe former CP Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, now AIG Zone 7 Abuja, as well as CP Peter Okachi Opara,, CP Obo Obo Ukani, DCP Simon Asanmber Lough (SAN), and ACP Akpan Brown.
The investigation was said to had stemmed from a petition by a human rights group that, the officers allegedly falsified their records of service.
We also reported that, IGP Egbetokun had earmarked the officers for suspension, and allegedly directed Force Secretary and Budget office to suspend their names from staff list, while their salaries are said to also been placed on hold.
We reported a letter believed to had emanated from the Force Secretary addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit dated January 13th 2025, which listed names of the affected senior officers,who allegedly backdated their “history records.”
The letter was allegedly signed by AIG Olofu Rhoda giving the DCP one week to investigate the officers” alleged falsification of their date of enlistment and appointment into the Nigeria Police Force.
The DCP was expected to submit the report of the investigation on 20/1/25.
The Force Secretary office is expected to also delist the names of the officers from staff list from Monday 20/1/25, if result of the investigation indicts any of them.
Investigations by The SUPREME further reveal that, outcome of that investigation forwarded to the PSC prompted the extra ordinary Plenary of the PSC today 31st January 2025, in which the approval for the immediate retirement of senior Police Officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age wax decided.
In a statement today, the Commission said, “at its 24th Plenary Meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017 had approved that the Force Entrants should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment.
The Commission has passionately revisited their decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision
in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of merger of service in the Public service and it is in violation of
Public Service Rule No 020908 ( i & ii) which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.
Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extra ordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.
The Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu, rtd, presided over the extraordinary Meeting and had Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Hon Commissioner representing the Judiciary; DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, Honourable Commissioner representing the Police and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission in attendance.
The Commission’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.”
Spokesman of the PSC. Ikechukwu Ani who confirmed the story in a statement, explained to The SUPREME the names of the affected officers and their ranks were not known to him.
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