Hundeyin’s promotion not secretly approved, due process followed — Ex-AIG Abutu Yaro

2026-02-06 - 09:38

A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Abutu Yaro, has dismissed claims that the promotion of the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin, was secretly approved by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun. Yaro insisted that the promotion followed due process and was carried out strictly in line with existing service rules and constitutional provisions governing police promotions. Speaking in response to public criticism and allegations of favouritism, the retired senior officer described the promotion as valid, lawful, and executed within the exclusive constitutional authority of the Police Service Commission (PSC), the body empowered to promote senior police officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG). According to Yaro, the position of Force Public Relations Officer has clearly defined eligibility requirements within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which Hundeyin met. He explained that an officer appointed as FPRO must hold a minimum rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, which falls within the commissioner cadre. Such an officer must also possess a university degree or its equivalent, have at least 10 years of meritorious service, demonstrate emotional stability, maintain a clean service record free of disciplinary cases, and possess professional qualifications or competence in public relations or broadcasting. Yaro added that officers appointed to the role are typically exposed to specialised in-house training and capacity-building programmes, often supported by media consultants engaged by the police. Clarifying the broader promotion framework within the NPF, the retired AIG noted that promotion procedures differ across cadres. For rank-and-file officers—from constables to inspectors—promotions are handled internally by the police hierarchy and are based on criteria including clean service records, a minimum of 36 months on a rank, completion of required promotion courses, seniority, recommendations by unit heads, and the availability of vacancies. For inspectorate officers, he said, the process follows similar requirements but includes appearance before an Inspectorate Selection Board. However, for superior police officers—from ASP to DIG—Yaro stressed that promotions fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Police Service Commission. He explained that such promotions are determined by vacancy availability, three-year Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) grading, completion of promotion courses, and recommendations by the IGP, which the PSC may accept or decline at its discretion. He further noted that the police promotion framework allows for accelerated promotion under clearly defined conditions. “There is a clause for accelerated promotion in our service manuals,” Yaro said, explaining that officers may be promoted ahead of the usual timeline where APER grading and departmental recommendations clearly indicate suitability for accelerated advancement. Addressing concerns about transparency, Yaro argued that the concept must be understood within the confines of police service rules. He said promotions are governed by established regulations and PSC guidelines, noting that public agitation or open protest over service matters is prohibited within the police structure—a principle ingrained in officers from the point of entry. Yaro maintained that Hundeyin’s promotion fully complied with the Police Service Commission Establishment Act and the Constitution. “Promotions to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police are strictly on the PSC schedule. Any inquiry into the criteria applied should be directed to the Police Service Commission, which is an independent constitutional body,” he said. He described Hundeyin’s elevation as an accelerated promotion, not a rapid or arbitrary one, stressing that the parameters for such advancement are determined and applied by the PSC, not the IGP. Yaro also dismissed suggestions that IGP Egbetokun personally promoted Hundeyin, describing the claims as “misplaced and misleading.” “The Inspector-General of Police does not have the authority to promote an Assistant Commissioner of Police. His powers are limited to promotions from constable to inspector. Promotions from ASP to DIG are handled exclusively by the Police Service Commission,” he stated. On redress mechanisms, Yaro explained that officers in the superior cadre may seek review or clarification directly from the PSC, while promotion grievances involving the constable-to-inspector ranks are handled by the IGP’s office. He urged strict adherence to the Police Act, PSC guidelines, and existing regulations, emphasising that the IGP is bound to comply with PSC policy directives on promotions. “Absolute authority on these matters lies with the Police Service Commission,” he said. Meanwhile, another senior police officer familiar with internal procedures confirmed that the office of the Force Public Relations Officer is structurally designated for an officer of at least the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police. The officer explained that where an appointee does not meet the minimum rank requirement, promotion is effected to align the individual with the prescribed status of the office. “Anyone appointed to the office who is below the rank of ACP must be promoted to occupy the position. This is standard practice. It is about the office, not the individual,” the officer said. He cited former Force Public Relations Officers—Frank Mba, Jimoh Moshood, and Olumuyiwa Adejobi—who were all promoted to the rank of ACP in line with their appointments. Drawing parallels with other security and paramilitary agencies, the officer noted that similar conventions apply across the services. He said the Nigeria Customs Service promoted its spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General after his appointment, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps elevated its spokesperson from Chief Superintendent of Corps to Assistant Commandant of Corps. “In the Nigerian Army, the spokesperson is typically a Colonel, with officers sometimes promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to fit the office. In the Navy, the spokesperson is a Captain. These are institutional standards,” he said. Emphasising that the matter should not be personalised, the officer maintained that Hundeyin’s promotion was dictated by the demands and status of the office he occupies. “It is not about Hundeyin. It is about the office. The office of FPRO comes with a defined rank, and whoever is appointed must meet that requirement,” he said. On allegations of selective promotion, the officer disclosed that the only recommendation forwarded by the IGP to the Police Service Commission was Hundeyin’s, strictly in line with his appointment as Force Public Relations Officer. “Any other promotions are entirely at the discretion of the Police Service Commission. The IGP does not determine those outcomes,” he added.