…promoted ASP
By Okosun Dennis
Call it divine grace of God, you are absolutely right. Call it providence, you are on the right path. Above all, the mercy of God worked miraculously and an innocent policeman wrongfully punished 21 years ago has been found not guilty and his work restored.
The policeman, now an ASP Celestine Obot Williams, who was dismissed as a constable for an undisclosed offence was on February 16, 2021 reinstated and promoted to the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
A historical feat was made when the police officer from Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, who was wrongfully dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 21 years ago was later decorated with his new rank badge which took effect from June 11, 2020.
It was gathered that the story of his re-instatement cum restoration began in 2016 when he submitted a petition to the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District, Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA) requesting for his re-instatement for wrongful dismissal.
In the petition, Senator Albert Akpan requested the Senate to intervene in view of the fact that the police wireless message attached to his request revealed that the appellant, who at the time of his dismissal, was a constable, was not tried but dismissed for an undisclosed offense.
It was learnt that the Senate consequently recommended his re-instatement and promotion to the rank at par with his coursemates.
After due investigations and deliberations, it was further revealed by the Police Service Commission, Mr. Williams was accordingly re-instated in May 2017 but not at his due rank.
Speaking on the re-instatement and subsequent promotion of Mr. Williams, Senator Albert was full of praise for President Muhammadu Buhari for the remarkable working capacity of his g
overnment.
He thanked the leadership of National Assembly for taking positive action on the petition from his constituent.
He appreciated the Nigeria Police Service Commission who contributed to the resolution of the matter, the Inspector General of Police, the entire Nigeria Police Force and others who played their part by standing up for justice.
On his part, the highly appreciated ASP Williams, who was today, March 11, 2021 decorated with his new rank thanked the Almighty God for experiencing today despite the challenging times.
While decorating Mr. Williams, Senator Albert in his office, charged the police officer to be “patriotic, selfless and honest in carrying out his duties and should see beyond his travail over the years but look into the future with hope and trust in God that who had made today possible.”
Meanwhile, ASP Celestine Williams has been posted to Zone 6, Calabar, Cross River State and is to be paid all his arrears and entitlements for the last 21 years while the Senator has donated a vehicle to ASP to aid his movement in the discharge of his duties.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/nigerian-police-force-reinstates-officer-21-years-after-wrongful-dismissal/
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