The federal government through the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has said that the continuous stay of Kayode Egbetokun in office as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) is legal.
In a statement on Thursday, Fagbemi clarified that Egbetokun’s appointment, which took effect on October 31, 2023, remains valid for a period of four years.
The AGF stated that following the amendment of the Police Act in 2024, the IGP is entitled to remain in office for four years “notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the age of 60 years.”
Civil service regulations require that public servants retire at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service.
The statement reads, “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 4th day of September 2024.
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“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 the 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.”
Tribune Online reports that President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as the IGP, replacing Usman Baba.
However, Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), recently commented on the controversy surrounding Egbetokun’s tenure, calling him an “illegal IGP.”
Following the remark, the police arraigned Sowore on a 16-count charge for allegedly publishing false information against the IGP.
