The Police Service Commission, PSC, has debunked report of alleged bribery in the recent promotion of deserving officers to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) by the commission.

The commission expressed grave concern over allagations that senior officers paid the sum of N5 million each to secure the promotion, as reported by an online newspaper, Sahara Reporters.

The PSC in a statement signed by the head of Protocol and Public Affairs, Torty Njoku Kalu, in Abuja, described the allegation as false and unfounded.

“The commission categorically denies these unfounded allegations in their entirety and describes the report as a reckless attempt to tarnish the image of both the commission and the Nigeria Police Force.

“Contrary to the narrative peddled by the online publication, the promotion of the senior officers from Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to ACP followed due process and established guidelines of the Commission.

“The Police Service Commission, as the statutory body responsible for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of police officers (except the Inspector-General of Police), conducts its affairs with the highest level of transparency and adherence to the Public Service Rules and best practices.

“The reference in the report to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police is mischievous and calculated to lend false credence to a baseless story. The role of the IGP in the promotion process is to forward recommendations based on vacancy and performance, but the final approval rests solely with the Commission as a body.

“To suggest that the commission operates a ‘pay-to-play’ system is an insult to the integrity of the Board Members who oversee these exercises.

“We challenge Sahara Reporters to provide verifiable evidence to support their claim of bribery rather than relying on hearsay from “insider sources,” the statement said.

It noted that the documents referenced, including the internal police wireless message, only confirmed that promotions were approved, in line with routine administrative functions, and “do not substantiate the malicious allegation of financial transactions.”

The statement, therefore, urged the public to disregard the report which it described as misleading.

It noted that the was committed to merit-based promotions and oversight of the NPF, urging any officer or member of the public with credible evidence of misconduct to petition the commission directly, rather than feed on sensationalist media narratives.

The PSC also disclosed that it was considering a legal action against Sahara Reporters for defamation and damage to the reputation of the Commission.