The Police Service Commission (PSC) has strongly disowned a recent advertisement announcing recruitment into the 12th Regular Course of the Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC) in Wudil, Kano, calling it illegal and a violation of due process.
In a statement on Thursday, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani declared the advert “null and void”, saying it was published without the approval of the Commission, which is the only body legally empowered to recruit into the Nigeria Police Force.
“The advertorial, which was placed in flagrant violation of required procedures, is an undisguised attempt to undermine the Commission,” the PSC said.
Ani referenced key legal judgments, including:
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Court of Appeal (CA/A/84/2020) in PSC v. Inspector-General of Police
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Supreme Court (SC/CV/773/2020) in NPF v. PSC
These rulings confirmed that only the PSC has the constitutional authority to oversee police recruitment.
Concerns over due process and corruption
The PSC also criticised the ₦6,000 application fee announced in the illegal advert, describing it as “absurd” and a likely “breeding ground for corruption” in what should be a free and fair recruitment process.
The Commission accused the Police Academy of acting without consulting:
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The Ministry of Police Affairs
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The Federal Character Commission
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The PSC itself
It further condemned the centralised screening approach that would require all applicants to physically report to the academy, calling it:
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Stressful
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Economically wasteful
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A security risk
“The current process introduced by the Police Academy is chaotic, confusing, and unpredictable,” the PSC said.
Public warning and stance on governance
The Commission urged Nigerians to ignore the advert entirely, warning that any action taken based on it would not be recognised.
It also linked the illegal recruitment exercise to a violation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, equity, and good governance.
“The PSC will not be held responsible for any outcome or consequence resulting from this illegitimate exercise,” Ani concluded.
The PSC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens’ rights, and ensuring that recruitment into the police remains fair, transparent, and properly regulated.
