Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), characterized the recent Supreme Court ruling on constable recruitment by the commission as being in the best interest of national security.
On July 11, 2023, the highest court settled the dispute between the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) regarding the responsibility for recruiting constables for the Nigeria Police.
The Supreme Court’s verdict unambiguously established that the PSC holds the statutory authority for this recruitment task.
Before this ruling, Arase mentioned that efforts were underway to amicably resolve the disagreement between these two essential institutions. The fact that they engaged in a needless legal dispute over an issue that required understanding, respect, and compromise was deemed embarrassing to the government and other stakeholders.
In response to the ruling, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, the retired Inspector General of Police and Chairman of the commission, expressed that the judgment effectively solidifies the resolution of the matter, creating a win-win scenario for both institutions.
He emphasized that their collaboration is indispensable for them to fulfill their respective mandates successfully.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani: “It must be said and seen, therefore, that the judgment is delivered for the overall best interest of our national security, and goes to underscore the imperative need for harmonious working relationship and mutual trust amongst agencies of Government.
“Consequently, it is important that all concerned de-escalate and eschew all forms of hostilities, misconceptions, preconceptions and prejudices against each other which were at the base of the hitherto characterizing of a no love lost relationship between the Commission and the NPF”.
He noted that the unnecessary imbrogilo impacted negatively on the Staff of the Police Service Commission and officers and other ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Going forward, he announced that a Recruitment Board has been constituted, chaired by the Police Service Commission, with other relevant stakeholders as members, and will be inaugurated in no distant time.
“The Board will screen and ensure that only able and qualified members of the public are recruited into the NPF, reflecting also the principle of Federal Character.
“The imperativeness of peace, harmony and cordiality between the two institutions, according to him cannot be over-emphasized, as contemporary security provisioning has become more tasking than ever, and demands a robust policy guideline from the Commission, if the Nigeria Police Force must be repositioned for greater efficiency and effectiveness in not only meeting up with the myriad of security challenges confronting our dear country, Nigeria, but also birthing a responsive, responsible and accountable police to our people.
“Peace is essential for growth and success of any institution in delivering on its mandate, and it is hoped that the Commission and NPF will continue to build and consolidate on the emerging trust, confidence and mutual respect which will aggregate to foster and entrench a culture of love and symbiotic relationship between the two agencies, towards the attainment of our statutory mandates, for a greater, safer, prosperous and more secure Nigeria”.
