Former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro is in trouble as the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has written a petition to Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) saying that despite the dissolution of the PSC board on December 29, 2017, Okiro still functions as the chairman.

Former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro

CSNAC cited an internal memo reportedly dated January 5, 2018, from Okiro in his purported position as board chairman, directing the permanent secretary of the commission “to report an action to him in seven days, among several others instructions”.

“The Police Service Commission is one of the federal executive bodies established by section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with enormous powers which include: appointment, promotion and disciplinary control of all police officers in Nigeria (except the inspector general of police).”

“With the weight of responsibility placed on an important agency of government such as the PSC, it is disastrous to allow any functionary to operate it illegally and by extension, in nullity.”

“While the president is yet to name a new chairman for the board, section 161(c) of the 1999 constitution as amended states that “any reference to ‘member’ of a body established by section 153 of this constitution shall be construed as including a reference to the chairman of that body.”

“We however, view Mr. Okiro’s continued function till date in that capacity as either lack of understanding of the statutes or a deliberate disregard of government’s directive with an ulterior motive to continue certain activities that we are certain will not be in the interest of the police and the public. We will further challenge all action(s) purportedly taken by him and the others within the period under reference.”