By George Ozalla
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has disowned an advertisement for admission into the 12th Regular Course Degree Programmes of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, citing a flagrant violation of the required procedure. According to a press statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, the Commission asserts that it was not consulted, and necessary stakeholders’ input was not sought or received.
The PSC insists that it has the constitutional mandate to recruit, including through the Academy, as affirmed by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The Commission emphasizes that recruitment should involve all key stakeholders to avoid spoils system, cronyism, nepotism, corruption, and other related vices.
The PSC also criticizes the Nigeria Police Academy’s process and procedures, describing them as chaotic, confusing, and unpredictable, and deliberately designed to breed corruption. The Commission notes that charging application fees of N6,000 in an exercise designed to be free is absurd, and inviting applicants to appear at the Police Academy premises instead of decentralizing the process is an invitation to anarchy.
The PSC has declared the advertisement null and void, stating that it would not be held responsible for any unlawful or unconstitutional action occasioned by the advertisement. The Commission’s leadership, in collaboration with key stakeholders, is set to bring policies in line with global best practices of governance, transparency, accountability, equity, and fairness.
