Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Musiliu Smith has resigned as the Chairman Police Service Commission (PSC).
According to the commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, Smith’s resignation was on health grounds. He said President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the resignation.
It is however believed that the PSC Board asked the retired IGP to resign as Chairman following the controversy between the commission and the Office of the current IGP over recruitment into the Police Force.
While the PSC advertised recruitment for constables and urged interested applicants to visit its website to apply, the Police authorities countered, urging members of the public to disregard the notice. The Police Force insisted that the recruitment process is its sole responsibility.
The former PSC Chairman is expected to hand over to retired Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, who represents the judiciary at the commission.
Smith was appointed IGP at the onset of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic on 29 May 1999 by then President Olusegun Obasanjo. He rwas etired in March 2002 following an industrial action by the Force.
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him PSC Chairman on 24 May 2018.
The tenure of Smith, 76, was to expire next July.
