The National Industrial Court (NICN), Abuja, Monday adjourned to 6th March, 2025, for judgement a case on delayed promotion involving serving police officers.
The claimants, in the matter, filed the suit against the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police.
Among others, they cited the fact that the IGP refused to decorate them with their new ranks having been promoted and promotion approved by the Police Service Commission pursuant to section 6 (1) (a) of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the matter, Barrister Muka’ila Yahaya Mavo, engaged in arguments which lasted for almost five hours.
Mavo argued that the power of the Police Service Commission in respect of promotion of police officers in Nigeria is sacrosanct.
He cited the example of Supreme Court in the case of Nigeria Police Force & 2 Ors V. Police Service Commission & 10 Ors (2023) 95, Part 1 NSCQR.
He told the court that the Inspector of Police cannot take away those powers except through legislation by amending the constitution of Nigeria and the Police Service Commission’s Act.
The Inspector General of Police was appointed in accordance with the provisions of the law of the land, and he is under obligation to respect the law of the land.
But counsel to the Police Force, CSP Celestine U. Odo, insisted that the issue of promotion of officers is at the discretion of the IG.
