The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi and the force headquarters have defended the extension of the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stating that the police chief’s appointment is firmly grounded in law, specifically in Part III, Section 7 (6) of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended).
Omoyele Sowore, activist and politician and some top police officers have consistently criticized Egbetokun’s stay in office as IGP, stating that it prevents others from rising in the police formation.
The Witness reports that Egbetokun, who was expected to retire from the police service on September 4, 2024, upon reaching the age of 60, was granted a four-year extension in office by the president. This followed an amendment to the law governing appointments to the IGP’s position by the National Assembly.
The extension has generated reactions.
The Senate had in July last year hurriedly passed the Police Act Amendment Bill, 2024, to guarantee four-year tenure of office for an IGP.
The bill which was presented for the first time on the floor of the Senate on July 23rd, 2024, was passed for first, second and third reading barely one week after, July 31st, 2024.
But reacting to the controversy on Thursday night, Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said Egbetokun’s continuous stay in office is legal and lawful.
“The appointment of Egbetokun which took effect from 31st day of October, 2023 would have come to an end on his attainment of 60 years of age on the 4th day of September, 2024.
“However, before his retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the occupant of the office to remain and complete the original four-year term granted under Section 7 (6) of the Act, notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the age of 60 years.
“This has, therefore, statutorily extended the tenure of office of Egbetokun to and including 31st day of October, 2027 in order to complete the four year tenure granted to him.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Egbetokun’s continuous stay in office is in line with the provisions of the Police Act amended in 2024 which allow the occupant of the office to enjoy a term of four years effective from the date of his appointment as IGP, in this case, 31st day of October 2023”.
Similarly, defending the IGP, the force headquarters said the appointment is legal and duly confirmed by the Police Council.
The FHQ, in a statement on Thursday by its spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that the claims are entirely unfounded and seek to undermine the legitimacy of the IGP’s appointment as well as public confidence in the Nigeria Police.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby refutes, in clear and unequivocal terms, the baseless and misleading claims recently attributed to Mr. Omoyele Sowore, alleging that the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, is illegal.
“Such claims are entirely unfounded and seek to undermine the legitimacy of the IGP’s appointment as well as public confidence in the Nigeria Police.
“IGP Egbetokun’s appointment is firmly grounded in law, specifically PART III, Section 7 (6) of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended).
“This provision explicitly states that “The person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years.”
“Moreover, his appointment was duly ratified by the Police Council, and he has received the requisite confirmation letter from the Presidency, validating his tenure from October 31, 2023, to October 31, 2027, in line with the provisions of Section 8A of the executive bill passed which amended the Police Act, clearly stating that “Any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of section 7(6) of this Act.
‘The amendment aims to provide stability and continuity in the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, enabling the IGP to implement long-term plans and policies without fear of abrupt termination. This change is expected to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the police force in maintaining law and order in the country”.
