4,449 Police Officers Take Promotion Case to Industrial Court

Oluchi Chibuzor

The National Industrial Court, Abuja has fixed December 18 for further hearing in a case filed against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector General of Police (IG) by 4,449 police officers on the grounds that the IG refused to decorate them with their new ranks having been promoted and approved by the Police Service Commission (PSC) pursuant to its Act.

Counsel representing the Claimants in the matter, Barrister Muka’ila Yahaya Mavo argued and prayed that the court, presided by Hon. Justice R.B Haastrup, should order the NPF  and the IG to give effect and implement the 19th plenary decision meeting of the PSC that sat and approved the promotion of 4, 449 Police officers.

The decision of the commission was in line with section 6 (1) (a) of the PSC Act and section 16 (30 (a) of the Police Act.

Muka’ila Mavo further argued that it  has been the tradition between the NPF and the PSC  and that has been given a judicial flavour by the Supreme Court where the court held that the PSC is responsible for the appointment, promotion and discipline of all police officers (other than the IG).

Representative of the NPF in the court, ACP Isa Garba, told journalists that the Force PRO is in a better position to provide details on the case.