The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed allegations that senior police officers paid ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), describing the claims as baseless and misleading.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commission was reacting to a report published by Sahara Reporters which alleged that some officers bribed their way into the recent ACP promotions.
The PSC said the allegations were unfounded and constituted a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the Commission, the promotion of officers from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to ACP followed established procedures and guidelines. It explained that as the statutory body responsible for the appointment, promotion and discipline of police officers—except the Inspector-General of Police—it carries out its duties with transparency and in line with Public Service Rules and best practices.
The Commission also described references in the report to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police as misleading. It clarified that while the Inspector-General forwards recommendations based on vacancies and officers’ performance, the final decision on promotions rests with the Commission.
PSC further challenged Sahara Reporters to provide verifiable evidence to support its allegations rather than relying on unnamed sources. It added that the internal police wireless message cited in the report only confirmed the approval of promotions, which it said was a routine administrative process and not proof of any financial inducement.
The Commission urged the public to disregard what it described as a misleading report, reiterating its commitment to merit-based promotions and effective oversight of the Nigeria Police Force.
It also encouraged anyone with credible evidence of misconduct to submit a formal petition to the Commission instead of promoting unverified claims in the media.
The PSC disclosed that it is considering legal action against Sahara Reporters over what it termed defamation and reputational damage.
The statement was signed by the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs at the PSC headquarters in Abuja, Torty Njoku Kalu, on March 8, 2026.