The Police Service Commission has firmly denied allegations that senior police officers paid N5m each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, describing the claims as baseless and malicious.

The allegations, published by Sahara Reporters, suggested that officers seeking elevation from Chief Superintendent of Police to Assistant Commissioner of Police allegedly bribed commission officials to influence the promotion exercise.

In a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja by the commission’s Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, Torty Kalu, the PSC said the report was an unfounded attack aimed at undermining both the commission and the Nigeria Police Force.

The commission said it was already consulting on possible legal action against Sahara Reporters for what it termed a defamatory publication that sought to erode public confidence in the integrity of the promotion process.

According to the statement, the promotion of senior officers from CSP to ACP followed due process, with all candidates subjected to established guidelines, including performance records, available vacancies and laid-down criteria approved by the commission.

The PSC also faulted the report’s reference to the immediate past Inspector General of Police, describing the attempt to link him to the alleged bribery as mischievous and a deliberate effort to lend false credibility to an otherwise unsubstantiated story.

Clarifying the roles in the promotion chain, the commission explained that the Inspector General of Police is limited to forwarding recommendations based on merit, vacancy and documented performance, while the final authority to approve or reject such recommendations lies solely with the Police Service Commission.

The statement stressed that no evidence had been presented to support the bribery claims and urged members of the public to treat the report as a fabrication designed to cast doubt on ongoing reforms within the police oversight system.

Reiterating its commitment to transparency, accountability and merit-based advancement, the PSC maintained that it would continue to exercise its constitutional mandate over police promotions and discipline without fear or favour, and warned that it would not hesitate to seek redress against any publication that seeks to damage its reputation.