AGF Says Egbetokun’s Tenure Lawful as Recent Bill Passed By National Assembly Allows IGP in Office Beyond Retirement

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has defended the continued stay of Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), affirming that his tenure remains valid under the amended Police Act of 2024, despite being above the stipulated retirement age for civil servants.

In a statement released on Thursday, Fagbemi clarified that Egbetokun, appointed as the IGP on October 31, 2023, is entitled to a four-year tenure, irrespective of the fact that he turned 60 years old on September 4, 2024.

The AGF explained that an amendment to the Police Act, hurriedly passed by the National Assembly in July 2024, allows the IGP to serve until the end of the term stated in his appointment letter.

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 allows the occupant of the office to enjoy a term of four years effective from the date of his appointment as IGP, in this case, October 31, 2023,” Fagbemi stated.

Before the amendment, the Police Act 2020 required all police officers to retire at 60 or after 35 years of service, whichever comes first, as stipulated in Section 18(8). However, the amendment introduced a new Section 18(8A), which exempts the IGP from this rule, stating that “any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”

Despite the bill’s passage in July 2024, there has been no official announcement from the presidency regarding its signing by President Bola Tinubu. However, following Egbetokun’s 60th birthday in September 2024, media reports indicated that Tinubu approved his continued stay in office until October 2027.

The extension of Egbetokun’s tenure sparked controversy, with critics questioning its legality. Recall that Omoyele Sowore referred to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP,” citing the lack of official confirmation from the presidency regarding the amendment.

In response, the police charged Sowore with a 16-count charge for allegedly publishing false information against the IGP. However, on Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the activist bail in the sum of N10m.

West Africa Weekly recently reported that Egbetokun had named a newly constructed gymnasium, funded with public resources, after himself. The facility, located within the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Garki, Abuja, was commissioned on September 4 2024.

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