The Police Service Commission on Tuesday denied that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the reinstatement of Zakari Biu, a commissioner of police who was fired in 2012 for allegedly aiding the escape of a notorious Boko Haram leader, Kabiru Sokoto.

The spokesperson of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said Mr. Biu was recalled based on a review of the circumstances that led to his dismissal.

“It has nothing to do with the president, the president was not even aware of the decision of the commission,” Mr. Ani told PREMIUM TIMES, denying reports that the reinstatement was ordered by the president.

“He wrote an appeal to the police service commission which was forwarded to the Inspector General of Police for comments and based on recommendations by the IGP; looking at the circumstances surrounding his dismissal, the commission adopted the recommendation and reinstated him,” Mr. Ani said.

He said Mr. Biu was exonerated of the allegations and placed on statutory retirement in the police force.

In 2010, Mr. Sokoto, a notorious Boko Haram member responsible for bombing at the St Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla in which 44 worshippers died, was arrested by the police.

Mr. Sokoto escaped when a police team, authorised by Mr. Biu, took him to his house for a search.

Mr. Biu was arrested, tried and dismissed from the police force in 2012.

In a twist, the police service commission reinstated him on Friday, pronouncing him not guilty.

“The commission also reviewed the CP Zakari Biu’s appeal against his dismissal, exonerating him and retiring him statutorily,” the statement read.