By:Douglas Ogbankwa Esq. @[email protected]

The Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the Inspector General Police (IGP) is perhaps one of the most powerful figures in the Nigerian Police Force .He can just be an instruction determine the fate of a matter, a posting , an officer or man of the Nigerian Police Force .

He or She starts the instructions by saying “The Inspector General of Police has directed that…”.With these intro the PSO controls activities concerning the Nigeria Police Force that comes to his attention.

It is however the assessment of this writer , that some times these powers are abused and used to cause injustice to citizens .It is important that the powers of the PSO be open to review, by a reviewing officer ,perhaps the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG),Finance & Administration.This is because it is almost impossible for you to access the Inspector General of Police in Nigeria, if you had a misgiving about an action of the PSO .Infact, it is easier for you to see a Deputy Inspector General of Police , than for you to see the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, who sometimes might be a Chief Suprutendent of Police (CSP).

The Section at the 7th Floor of the Force Headquarters where the IGP and the PSO Offices are , are a no go area for ordinary Nigerians .You have to be able to call some inside to be allowed in.This iron curtain is unnecessary , as Police Business is for the benefit of the people .If the people cannot access the IGP and his Principal Officers , how does the IGP get feedbacks on happenings in the Force ?The Inspector General of Police should make his office and that of his PSO more accessible to the Nigerian People , because policing any where in the world is people based .

Except you have exceptional officers , who have the maturity and wisdom to manage the office , I will recommend that a Principal Staff Officer to the IGP should be a high ranking officer .This is because some middle level officers that have handled the position , become power drunk and therefore deluded .Some do not even know that being a PSO to the IGP , is a Public Relations Duty .You must handle matters with circumspection and care , in a way that will protect the Police Force from ridicule.

There are scenarios of the Office of the PSO issuing two contradictory instructions over the same matter, with out a reference to the former and an indication that latter supercedes the former. The IGP should reorganise that office and get them a software that give them real time record and stop the present situation of conflicting orders being given over the same matter. It gives an impression that any thing goes in the Nigerian Police and this is not good for the image of the Force .

The IGP should also oversight the Office of the PSO , by calling for weekly briefings on all matters or assigning the role to the DIG ,Finance and Admin.The fact that the PSO knows that he is being ovetsighted can be a check on his activities.

Officers to be sent to the Office must be Officers of pleasant temperament, fair judgment, Humble disposition and amiable mien.This is because all these attributes will come to play in the management of the Office .

The Office of the PSO is very powerful. I state that it is too much powers given yo one man .It is time to streamline it.The decision of the PSOs on matters should be subject to review , if an aggrieved Nigerian complains. The current trend of the PSO Decision on matters being final allows a room for injustice. I Call on the the progressive IGP to use this as an opportunity to make an indelible mark in Police Business in Nigeria , by taking a second look at the Modus Operandi of the Office of his PSO.

On this matter , I am the voice of the voiceless .I speak the mind of persons who have been meted out injustice, by an improper use of the powers of the office.

Matters should also be given favourable attention on equal basis. While is it that you can hardly write a petition against a command by speed post or courier complaining against a command or zone and get the matter transferred ?The Command and Zone will only be asked to comment and most rimes that is the end of that complaint.

For you to have your matter transferred you have to have a pull.This is completely unacceptable. Cases should be treated on their merit .

All these matters in a way ,when properly dealt with , will advance the Rule Of Law .A Police man is likely a clergy , he stands between man, God and the Society.It is important we put in place measures to advance our Police System.

About the Author :

Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., a Lawyer, Writer and Policy Analyst, is the Convener of the Security Situation Room and he is a Security Enthusiast.