PSC Dismisses N5m Bribery Allegations in ACP Promotions, Mulls Legal Action Against Sahara Reporters
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has strongly refuted allegations that senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force paid ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), describing the claim as false and malicious.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Commission said the allegation, published by Sahara Reporters, was a reckless attempt to tarnish the reputation of both the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the PSC, the promotion of officers from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to ACP followed established procedures and guidelines governing such exercises.
“The Commission categorically denies these unfounded allegations in their entirety,” the statement read, adding that the body conducts its responsibilities with transparency and strict adherence to the Public Service Rules and globally accepted best practices.
The Commission emphasized that, as the statutory body responsible for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of police officers—except the Inspector-General of Police—it ensures that promotions are merit-based and properly regulated.
It also dismissed references in the report to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police as “mischievous” and intended to lend credibility to what it described as a baseless claim.
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While acknowledging that the Inspector-General of Police plays a role in forwarding recommendations for promotion based on vacancies and officers’ performance, the PSC clarified that the final approval rests solely with the Commission.
“To suggest that the Commission operates a ‘pay-to-play’ system is an insult to the integrity of the Board Members who oversee these exercises,” the statement added.
The PSC challenged Sahara Reporters to provide verifiable evidence to substantiate its bribery claims rather than relying on what it described as hearsay from unnamed insider sources.
It noted that the internal police wireless message cited in the report merely confirmed that promotions were approved as part of routine administrative procedures and did not indicate any financial transactions.
The Commission urged members of the public to disregard the report, reiterating its commitment to merit-based promotions and effective oversight of the Nigeria Police Force.
It further encouraged any officer or member of the public with credible evidence of misconduct to formally petition the Commission rather than relying on what it described as sensational media narratives.
The PSC also disclosed that it is considering legal action against Sahara Reporters over the publication, citing alleged defamation and damage to the reputation of the Commission.
The statement was signed by Torty Njoku Kalu, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs at the PSC Headquarters in Abuja.
By PRNigeria
