The Labour Party under the leadership of Barr. Julius Abure has advised critics of the Inspector – General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over service tenure extension to leave him alone and go familiarize themselves with the relevant portions of the Nigerian constitution for self – education and enlightenment.
Describing Egbetokun’s continued service as legitimate, lawful and valid, the Labour Party urged his critics, whom he said were driven largely by 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.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital through its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Abayomi Arabambi, the LP recalled that the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 last year, saying the amendment makes room for a new provision legally permitting IGP Egbetokun to continue serving until 2027 so as to complete his four-year term as indicated in his appointment letter.
According to Arabambi, 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. The party explains 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 also noted 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.”
He 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.”
The Daily Crucible reports that ex – presidential candidate of AAC in the 2023 general elections, Omoyele Sowore had been critical of Egbetokun’s continued service beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60, describing him as an “illegal IGP,” a tag that led to legal actions against the activist.
Also, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), also stepped into the service extension controversy, declaring the lawfulness of Egbetokun’s continued stay in office.
However, the Labour Party has stated that it’s National Chairman Bar Julius Abure and National Secretary Alh Farouk Umar Ibrahim are solidly behind the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s position on IGP Egbetokun, affirming his appointment and tenure extension as lawful and legitimate.
“The continuous stay in office of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is legal and lawful,” the AG stated recently.
