News
PSC sacks two police officers, demotes six for alleged corruption, others
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal and prosecution of two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) for alleged misconduct, dishonesty, corruption, sabotage and conduct unbecoming of public officials.
The Commission also approved the demotion of six other officers for similar crimes.
Among those affected are two police chief inspectors who have been demoted to deputy chief inspector, one deputy chief inspector who has been reduced to assistant chief inspector, and three assistant chief inspectors who are now inspectors.i
The information was disclosed in a statement from the PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, and shared with journalists on Monday, January 13, 2025.
The statement indicated that these actions were a key outcome of the closing phase of the Commission’s second plenary meeting, which took place at its headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
In addition, the Commission has imposed a severe reprimand on ten senior police officers found guilty of unauthorized disclosure of state secrets, dishonesty, sabotage and conduct unbecoming of senior police personnel.
In addition, nine senior officers were reprimanded, while a deputy police commissioner was acquitted and acquitted, and an assistant chief inspector of police received a warning letter.
The Commission has previously made recommendations regarding police promotions, which have resulted in the promotion of several senior police officers.
This includes the promotion of eleven Commissioners of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, 16 Deputy Commissioners to Commissioners, 21 Deputy Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners, 57 Chief Inspectors to Deputy Commissioners and 1,348 Chief Inspectors to Chief Inspectors.
Notable among these promotions are Obi-Ejoh Nnamdi Patrick, the former Commander of the Anti-Narcotics Branch at the FCT Commando, who is now stationed at the Kaduna Command, and Milicent Amadi, the Officer in Charge of Surveillance at the State CID in Ebonyi State Command.
According to Channels Television, the statement issued to the media on Monday noted that 876 Deputy Chief Inspectors have been elevated to Chief Inspectors, including Daniel Ndukwe, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Enugu State Command.
DIG Hashimu Argungu, the Chairman of the Commission, emphasized the importance of discipline among Nigerian police officers to ensure that they effectively discharge their constitutional duties of law enforcement and protection of lives and property.
He also emphasized the Commission’s commitment to address pending disciplinary cases (PDM) to avoid unnecessary stagnation of police officers.
These decisions have been formally communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation, as indicated in a letter signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Onyemuche Nnamani.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a revised documentation requirement for transactions conducted through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the apex bank’s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali
The CBN said the new initiative is part of its ongoing commitment to foster seamless intra-African trade, financial inclusion, and operational efficiency for Nigerians engaging in cross-border payments within Africa.
Launched by Afreximbank in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat in January 2022, PAPSS serves as a centralized payment and settlement platform that enables instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions throughout Africa.
By facilitating payments in local currencies, PAPSS minimizes reliance on third-party currencies, reduces transaction costs, and supports the rapid expansion of trade under the AfCFTA.
In a recent circular referenced TED/FEM/PUB/FPC/001/006 issued on April 28, 2025, CBN outlined the key changes to the documentation requirements associated with PAPSS transactions.
The key changes it added take effect immediately and include simplified documentation for low-value transactions, which allows customers to now use basic KYC and AML documents provided to their authorized dealer banks for low-value transactions of up to $2,000 and $5,000 equivalent in naira for individuals and corporate bodies, respectively.
“For transactions above the thresholds, all documentation as stipulated in the CBN foreign exchange manual and related circulars remains mandatory,” the bank said.
Also, the CBN added that applicants are responsible for ensuring all regulatory documents are available to facilitate the clearance of goods, as required by relevant government agencies.
“Authorized dealer banks may now source foreign exchange for PAPSS settlements through the Nigerian foreign exchange market, without recourse to the CBN.
“All export proceeds repatriated via PAPSS shall be certified by the relevant processing banks.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria urges all banks to adopt PAPSS and commence originating transactions in line with this new policy.
“In addition, CBN encourages exporters, importers, and individuals to familiarize themselves with the new requirements and leverage PAPSS for cross-border transactions within Africa,” the statement said.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives is set to host the country’s first National Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy, aimed at driving new laws, attracting investment, and pushing Nigeria further along its energy transition journey.
This was revealed during a press briefing by the Chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, who described the event as a turning point for energy legislation in Nigeria.
He said: “The conference aims at bringing together key stakeholders and industry players to discuss renewable energy legislations, energy transition, renewable energy financing, investment opportunities and related matters.
“It’s about developing a national legislative framework on renewable energy”.
The conference, which is being organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy in partnership with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will take place under the UNDP Parliamentary Development Program.
Rep. Ogene noted that recent legal reforms have created space for state governments to play a more active role in Nigeria’s power sector. He pointed to the Fifth Alteration Bill 2022 (No.33), now signed into law, which allows states to legislate on electricity matters within the national grid. Before now, states could only act on off-grid power.
In addition, he highlighted the Electricity Act of 2023, which came into effect in February 2024.
“It permits states to issue licenses for all electricity activities – generation, transmission and distribution across the entire power sector value chain,” he said.
The Committee Chairman further stated that the new National Integrated Electricity Policy, expected in 2025, will guide states in forming new electricity markets, where solar power and other renewable sources will be key to reaching underserved communities.
Ogene explained, “The conference has three clear objectives:
“To promote dialogue among legislators, experts and stakeholders on critical legislative priorities.
“To establish a coordinated platform for federal and state lawmakers, and to produce a clear, time-bound legislative action plan.
“International partners are also on board. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will participate, and parliaments from South Africa, Ghana and Gambia have confirmed attendance. Ghana is sending a three-man delegation led by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Bagbin”.
In another major highlight, the Netherlands-based platform INCLUDE will host a Pan-African Legislative Dialogue session on renewable energy, to be chaired by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
“The session will focus on how to establish a unified legislative framework on renewable energy development, investment and financing.
“The time has come for us to act. This is not just another conference – it is the foundation of Nigeria’s renewable energy future”, Ogene added.
Expected outcomes from the conference include new policy and legislative reform proposals to boost renewable energy use, as well as draft laws that will encourage public and private sector investment.
Other goals are to enhance collaboration between federal and state lawmakers, raise public awareness, and roll out a practical roadmap for implementation and progress tracking.
The event will also feature a technology showcase of renewable energy innovations and business opportunities.
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