Fresh reports have emerged, revealing how President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari approved the sum of N18.6bn to former Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim for Police recruitment.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Police Service Commission (PSC) are currently in a legal battle over who oversees Police recruitment project but new intelligence reports have made the case to take a different turn.
Ibrahim Idris, the immediate past Police IG on behalf of NPF, had obtained an approval from the Presidency granting him access to conduct the recruitment exercise of 10, 000 constables.
Idris submitted a budget proposal of N16.8bn for 15,000 constables. However, Abba Kyari approved the said sum for a lesser number; 10,000 constables.
Kyari also instructed Idris to submit the budget to the then-Minister of Budget and National Planning for a more detailed review. He also commanded that the budget be included in the 2019 Appropriation bill. This is contained in a report obtained by The Punch.
The report was tendered as an exhibit in the court case where the PSC and NPF are currently battling for Supremacy.
The letter which was referenced SH/COS/26/5/2410, Abba Kyari gave approval for “the recruitment of 10,000 police officers of lower cadre in 2019.”
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: DSS Defies Court Order, Refuses to Release Sowore – Deji Adeyanju Raises Alarm
The letter also “directed the submission of a budget for the recruitment to the Minister of Budget and National Planning for a comprehensive review.”