… says IGP’s continued stay in office legal, lawful
The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has urged those opposed to the extension of the tenure of the Inspector – General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to leave him alone and rather refer to the relevant portions of the Nigerian constitution to educate and enlighten themselves better on the matter.
LP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Abayomi Arabambi, described the extension of Egbetokun’s service as legitimate, lawful and valid.
The party urged the IGP’s critics, whom it accused of crass ignorance, mischief and attention – seeking, to consult documents on the recent amendment to the Police Act granting the IGP a full term regardless of his age.
LP recalled that the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 last year, stressing that the amendment gives room for a new provision legally permitting Egbetokun to continue serving as IGP until 2027 to enable him to complete his four-year term as indicated in his letter of appointment.
The LP spokesman said subsection 18(8A) of the amendment states that: “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, 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.”
“For the avoidance of doubt , Section 18(8A) of the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 extends the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Nigeria.
“The amendment was passed by the National Assembly in July 2024 and this is the Explanation.
Section 18(8)
“This section of the Police Act 2020 states that police officers must serve for 35 years or until they are 60 years old, whichever comes first.
“Section 7(6)
This section of the Police Act 2020 states that the IGP must serve a four-year term.
“Section 18(8A)
This new subsection of the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 states that the IGP must remain in office until the end of their term, regardless of their age.”
LP stated that the amendment was passed to address the inconsistency between the general retirement provisions and the specific tenure of the IGP as the amendment clearly settles the issues of tenure extension as it clarifies that the IGP is entitled to a four-year tenure, notwithstanding the general retirement age or years of service limitations.
Arabambi further stated that IGP Egbetokun was appointed into the office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu according to the provision of the constitution stipulating that: ” There shall be – (a) an Inspector-General of Police who, subject to section 216(2) of this Constitution shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The LP spokesman added that the appointment was equally made lawful by virtues of the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 which flows from section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating among other things that “(a) the Nigeria Police Force shall be organised and administered in accordance with such provisions as may be prescribed by an act of the National Assembly.”
Recall that former AAC presidential flagbearer in the 2023 general elections, Omoyele Sowore had been critical of Egbetokun’s continued service beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60.
Recently, Sowore labeled Egbetokun an “illegal IGP,” a tag that resulted in legal actions against the ex-AAC presidential candidate.
Clarifying the tenure extension controversy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), declared that Egbetokun’s continued stay in office was legal and lawful.
The LP added in its statement that the party’s National Chairman, Bar Julius Abure as well as its National Secretary, Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim, stand with the Attorney General and IGP Egbetokun in the matter.
“The continuous stay in office of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is legal and lawful,” Arabambi stressed.