The Police Service Commission (PSC) has said it has no power to discipline the Inspector-General of Police (IG).
A statement by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Media, Press and Public Relations Officer of PSC, said the commission would not compromise its constitutional mandate to appoint, promote and discipline officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
“The commission also wishes to state that its powers to do this does not cover the office of the IG.
“The powers of the commission are stated in paragraph 30, Part 1 of the third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution,†he said.
Ani said the constitution which gave the commission the powers to appoint, promote and discipline also did not extend the powers to discipline an IG. “The commission under the leadership of Mike Okiro, is not a mere rubber stamp agency.
“It carries out its duties diligently and in accordance with set out guidelines.
“It also in the discharge of this duties, takes the IG into consideration as the operational head of the NPF.
“The 1999 Constitution, part 111, (supplemental) (b), 215 (2) states; The NPF shall be under the command of the IG,†he said.
He said on postings of command commissioners of police, the commission naturally allows the IG who works with these officers and who knows their operational capabilities to recommend to it.
Ani, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the commission had given the IG guidelines that should be followed on special promotions.
“Meanwhile, all recommendations to the commission on this issue has been put on hold until he complies with these guidelines.
“The commission however can do more with a constitutional provision that allows it protect its decisions.
“It is also common knowledge that most times its decisions are not implemented by the IG since constitutionally the commission can not discipline him,†he said.
He advised that in the current move to sanitise the NPF, efforts should not be wasted in unnecessary witchhunt.
“The current commission will continue to work with Mr President to give the nation the police force that will be the envy of every Nigerian.
“Appointments, promotions and disciplinary matters will continue to be guided by laid down rules and regulations,†he said.
