The Police Service Commission (PSC) has strongly denied allegations of corruption in the recent promotion of senior officers to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), dismissing claims that officers paid ₦5 million each to secure the elevation.
In a statement issued by Torty Njoku Kalu, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs at the PSC Headquarters in Abuja, the commission described a recent publication by Sahara Reporters as “unfounded,” “reckless,” and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of both the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The allegations, published under the headline “EXCLUSIVE: How Nigerian Police Officers Secretly Paid N5million To Police Service Commission To Get ACP Rank Under Egbetokun,” suggested that several senior officers (from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police) allegedly made payments of about ₦5 million each during the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to influence their promotions.
The PSC categorically rejected these claims in their entirety, insisting that the promotions followed due process, established guidelines, the Public Service Rules, and best practices. It emphasized that the commission, as the statutory body responsible for appointments, promotions, and discipline of police officers (excluding the IGP), operates with transparency.
The statement highlighted that the IGP’s role is limited to forwarding recommendations based on vacancies and performance, while final approval rests solely with the PSC as a body. It described suggestions of a “pay-to-play” system as an insult to the integrity of the commission’s board members.
The PSC challenged Sahara Reporters to produce verifiable evidence—beyond alleged hearsay from “insider sources”—to back the bribery claims. It noted that referenced documents, such as an internal police wireless message confirming the promotions, merely reflect routine administrative approvals and do not substantiate any financial misconduct.
The commission urged the public to disregard the report, reaffirmed its commitment to merit-based promotions, and encouraged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to petition the PSC directly instead of feeding sensationalist media narratives.
The PSC also indicated it is considering legal action against Sahara Reporters for defamation and reputational damage.
