PSC Blows hot, Vows Not to Surrender Constables’ Recruitment Mandate to Police

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has vowed that it would not surrender to the Nigeria Police Force its constitutional mandate to recruit police constables, which had been affirmed by the Court of Appeal.

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Workers of the commission had embarked on a three-day warning strike, accusing the Chairman, Mr Musuliu Smith of conniving with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, to prevent the commission from performing its constitutional role.

But in a statement issued yesterday, the commission alleged that the police authorities used the favourable judgment of the Federal High Court to take over the 2020 recruitment exercise.

It however insisted that the order had been overturned in its favour, stressing that it would not abdicate its constitutional responsibility.

The PSC stated this in reaction to the protest and shut down of its headquarters by workers protesting the takeover of the ongoing recruitment by the police.

The workers under the Joint Service Union had also embarked on a three-day strike to express their frustration over the alleged moves by the commission to render them redundant following the takeover of the recruitment exercise.

The PSC spokesman, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, in the statement, titled, ‘Re: Workers protest police recruitment, shut down PSC,’ explained that the issues raised by the workers, including delayed staff promotion and annual training, were being addressed by the commission.

He acknowledged the rights of the workers to embark on strike but condemned the forceful locking of the offices.

“It is necessary to state unequivocally that the recruitment of police officers from the rank of constables to Cadet Inspectors and Cadet ASPs is and remains the constitutional responsibility of the commission and this was also affirmed not long ago by a judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal

“The management of the commission has no intention to abdicate this constitutional responsibility. At no time did management willingly surrender the commission’s mandate to the Nigeria Police Force. This, it will never contemplate.’’

Ani disclosed that the PSC had a few weeks ago addressed the staff on the matter and had also followed up with a discussion with the Inspector-General of Police to explain issues arising from the conduct of the 2021 recruitment process.

“The management is currently taking up the recent announcement by the police, of screening dates for the 2021 constables recruitment, and will ensure that the constitutional responsibilities of the commission are not hijacked.

“Management will insist on keeping to existing clearly defined roles for all parties including the PSC, NPF, Federal Character Commission and state governments. The commission will drive the 2021 constable recruitment in line with constitutional provisions,’’ Ani explained.

On the 2021 staff promotion, the PSC said it would approve the recommendation of its Standing Committee on Establishment at the next plenary.