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In defiance of the Police Service Commission's directive for the immediate retirement of senior police officials who have either surpassed 35 years of service or reached the age of 60, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has instructed affected officers to remain in their positions.
According to a document sighted by Rocketparrot News on Wednesday, Egbetokun countered the commission's order, directing all police-related departments to pause any actions pending further instructions.
The document, dated February 5, 2025, as seen by Rocketparrot News reads: “RE: Police Service Commission decision at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th management board on the regularization of first appointment of cadet ASPs/Inspectors force entrants ref. Mylet No CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL2/292 dated 1st February 2025 X Inspector General of Police strongly directs you stay action on let under ref pending further directive above for your strict compliance acknowledge receipt please.”
Last week, the PSC's spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, stated that the commission's ruling came after reviewing its prior position from the 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, which permitted force entrants to utilize their date of enlistment rather than their original appointment date.
Ani explained that the commission has reverted this decision, pointing out its conflict with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), requiring retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.
However, the PSC clarified that it does not possess the constitutional power to determine the appointment or retirement of Egbetokun. Should he be permitted to stay, Egbetokun's recent counter-order undermines the PSC's statutory duty to appoint, promote, and dismiss police officers as per its Establishment Act.
The ongoing tenure of Egbetokun as Inspector General has sparked intense debates nationwide, with many Nigerians claiming it contradicts existing laws. Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore faced legal action for labeling Egbetokun's position as illegal, while the Force maintained that the appointment of the IGP and the extension of his tenure were constitutional.
Egbetokun, born in September 1964 and having turned 60 last September, joined the Force in 1990 and was appointed as Inspector General by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.
