History was made on February 16, 2021 when a police officer from Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Celestine Obot Williams, who was wrongfully dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force was re-instated after 21 years and was promoted to the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
The promotion takes effect from June 11, 2020.
The story of his reinstatement/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 reinstatement 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 offence.
The Senate consequently recommended his reinstatement and promotion to the rank at par with his mates. After due investigations and deliberations by the Police Service Commission, Mr. Williams was accordingly reinstated in May 2017 but not at his due rank.
Speaking on the reinstatement and subsequent promotion of Mr. Williams, Senator Albert was full of praise for President Muhammadu Buhari for the remarkable working capacity of his government. He equally thanked the leadership of National Assembly for taking positive action on the petition from his constituent .
He also appreciated the Nigeria Police Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police and others who played their part by standing up for justice.
A highly elated ASP Williams was today, March 11, 2021 decorated with his new rank by Senator Albert Bassey in his office.
While decorating Mr. Williams, Senator Albert charged him to be patriotic, selfless and honest in carrying out his duties and should see beyond his travail over the years but to look into the future with all amount of hope and trust in God.
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 the ASP to aid his movement in the discharge of his duties.