His resignation, according to Police sources, followed the recent disagreement between him and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba over a planned police recruitment exercise.
The PSC recently advertised recruitment for constables and urged interested applicants to visit its website to apply.
But IGP Baba argued that police recruitment exercise was entirely the responsibility of the Police Force, which he currently heads and consequently urged members of the public to disregard the recruitment notice as it was not authorised by the appropriate authority.
It was gathered that Smith’s resignation letter has been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Confirming the PSC chairman’s resignation, the spokesman for the board and South South Commissioner, Austin Braimoh, told Channels Television that Smith resignation was on health grounds.
He added that President Buhari was the sole person that can appoint another chairman, although members of the board have tentatively appointed retired Justice Lara Ogunbiyi as acting chairperson of the commission.
Smith was appointed as Chairman of the PSC in May 2018.