The sudden removal of Dr Solomon Arase as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) has continued to raise concerns across the country.
No fewer than 22 Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (CSOs) petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the decision of the Federal Government, which they described as shocking.
They argued that Arase has played a pivotal role in the PSC, noting that they were taken aback by the State House Press Release dated June 10, 2024, which announced his removal.
They also decried that no reason was stated for the removal of such an important figure in the PSC.
In a jointly signed statement, the group said, “We are also concerned that this removal violates the established legal procedure for removing the PSC Chairman. Section 5, subsection 1 of the PSC Act provides.
“Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 of this Act, the Chairman and any other member may at any time be removed from office by the President acting on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be removed for inability to discharge the functions of the Office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause of misconduct).
“We are worried that the president’s decision further undermines the Commission’s independence, effectiveness, and confidence in its ability to discharge its mandate without undue interference, as stipulated by the Police Service Commission Act.”
The civil society further conveyed their disappointment in the FG’s decision, noting that the Arase has proven to be diligent in serving the nation.
They also expressed worries over the renewed and needless controversy associated with the power games around police recruitment, despite the Supreme Court‘s judgment of July 11, 2023, which affirmed the commission’s power under the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, to handle police recruitment functions.
“Today, Nigerians are celebrating Democracy Day. One of the fundamental attributes of a democratic system is respect for the rule of law and due process. Thus, Mr President should holistically address this issue. We therefore call on the President to reverse this purported removal of the Chairman of the PSC and fully constitute the Board of the Commission”.
The collation of CSOs calls for a conclusion on the police recruitment process, including training and deployment. Even the IGP recently stated that more than 20,000 police personnel needed to be recruited annually to boost police workforce requirements. The recruitment numbers can also be increased through the Cadet ASP short course.
They advocated for the respect of the rule of law and due process; “we also call on the National Assembly to maximise its powers of checks and balances over the Executive’s actions. The political class’s total disregard for the rule of law, in this instance, further fuels the Nigerian people’s fears about the vulnerability of the Nigeria Police’s operations. By fulfilling its role, the National Assembly can empower and reassure the Nigerian people, strengthening our democracy and our standing in the comity of nations”.
We look forward to your quick and positive solution. This is for the good of a thriving democracy and our country. The time for action is now.
The CSOs that signed the petition include:
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center (RULAAC), NOPRIN Foundation, Open Society on Justice Reform Project, Confluence of Rights, Nigeria, Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria, Justice for Peace and Development Initiative, Legal Resources Consortium, Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding – Kaduna, Rural and Urban Development Initiative.
Others are: Dataphyte Foundation, Equity International Initiative (EII), Centre For Youth Participation Dialogue and Advocacy (CYPA), Africa, Advocacy Hub International, Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development IRIAD, Human Rights Advocacy and Monitoring Group (HURAMG), Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development (CM-CYCD), Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), Kuyimiki Development Initiative (KDI), Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Koyenum Immalah Foundation and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
