IGP v. PSC Supreme Court Decision: In the Interest of National Security – Arase

Moving forward, Arase declared that a recruitment board has been established, will soon be inaugurated, and will be presided over by the Police Service Commission, along with other pertinent parties.

Solomon Arase, the chairman of the Police Service Commission, referred to the Supreme Court’s decision of July 11, 2023, designating the Commission as the body charged with hiring constables for the Nigerian Police, as one made in the nation’s best interests.

The judgement “legally cements the resolution of the issue in a win-win situation for the two institutions who ordinarily cannot effectively function, and deliver on its respective mandates without cooperation of each other,” according to a statement from the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechuckwu Ani.

Moving forward, Arase declared that a recruitment board has been established, will soon be inaugurated, and will be presided over by the Police Service Commission, along with other pertinent parties.

According to him, the Board would examine applicants and make sure that only capable and competent members of the general public are hired into the Nigerian police force while upholding the federal character idea.

In a statement, it was stated that “efforts were already underway and advanced towards amicable resolution of the issue between the two critical institutions prior to the judgement, as it was highly embarrassing for Government and other stakeholders for the pair, who ought to work in harmony and mutuality, to have engaged in such avoidable legal dispute over an issue that sought understanding, respect, and compromise.”

According to Arase, the importance of coexistence, harmony, and friendship between the two institutions “cannot be overemphasised, as modern security provisioning has become more challenging than ever, and demands a robust policy guideline from the Commission, if the Nigeria Police Force is to be repositioned for greater efficiency and effectiveness in not only meeting up with the myriad security challenges confronting our dear country, Nigeria, but also birthing a resurgence of peace and stability in the region.”

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. Peace is essential for growth and success of any institution in delivering on its mandate.