President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been accused of extending Egbetokun’s tenure to 2027 in order to prevent an Igbo man, DIG Frank Uba from becoming Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Recall that the continued stay of Kayode Egbetokun as IPG despite attaining the age of 60 last September, has recently sparked debates over conflicting provisions in the Police Act regarding retirement age and tenure duration.
While the law mandates police officers to retire at 60 years or after 35 years of service, another section guarantees a four-year term for the IGP.
In clarifying the controversy, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, argued that Egbetokun’s continuous stay in office is legal and lawful.
He said, “The continuous stay in office of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is legal and lawful.
“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 the 4th day of September, 2024.
“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.
Also supporting the claim, @JasperUme said; “That is the reason for all these hide & seek normally going on in police retirement tenure elongation & every other crupt up controversies going on hindering changing hand in police force they interpreting upon interpreting of fed law & police act laws to stop handing over power.
“Because he is Igbo, Tinubu is scared because he is not sure where his allegiance lies. Imagine Obi winning and APC telling him to do some rubbish, I doubt he will…Tinubu doesn’t want to take chances so he prefers his former ADC as IGP in 2027,” @rwg6cdcpjx, also joined in supporting the accusation.
However, giving clarfication to the accusation, @ononmhen said; “The appointment of the Inspector General of police is entirely the perogative of the president. Is not about seniority or track records, it’s about trust and loyalty. If you like package Frank from morning till night, if the president does trust his loyalty, sorry is his case.
Also, reacting to the development in a lengthy post, ex-Presidential aide, Reno Omokri said; “President Bola Tinubu was the first and only Governor in the Southwest to make an Igbo man a powerful Commissioner in his government as Lagos Governor. He made Ben Akabueze Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget. The most powerful ministry in the Lagos State Government. He thereafter nominated that Commissioner, Ben Akabueze for appointment as Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation. Asiwaju also gave several prominent positions to people of Igbo origins.
“So, it is absurd to say that the President extended the tenure of the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, because he does not want an Igbo man, Frank Mbah, to be the IGP.
“Come on, use your heads, and do not allow sentiments to mislead you. Which position is more prominent between the Inspector General of Police and Chief of Naval Staff? Yet, didn’t President Tinubu name a man from Enugu, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, as the Chief of Naval Staff?
The position of Inspector General of Police is, by law, a tenured position. Please do not allow Omoyele Sowore to deceive you. Read the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, as amended.
“The retirement age for police personnel is 60. However, once you are appointed as an Inspector General of Police, your tenure is four years, irrespective of your age.
“Section 7(6) of the Act states, “Any person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years.”
DIG Frank Mbah is a Lagos Boy, born and raised in Lagos. He benefited from the Tinubu administration when the President presided over the Lagos State Government. What these guys are spreading is preposterous propaganda.
DIG Frank Mbah continues to be a golden boy under Tinubu because he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police by President Tinubu, who approved his new rank on Monday, June 17, 2023, a mere two weeks after he assumed office as President of Nigeria.
“It was even IGP Egbetokun that decorated Mbah with his new rank. Please let us focus on facts rather than sentiments. A President who made the wife of Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a powerful minister, has nothing but love for Ndi’Igbo.”
We’ve No Constitutional Powers Over IGP – PSC
Meanwhile, in an earlier statement, the Police Service Commission says it does not have the Constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police.
A statement signed by the PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, emphasized that the Commission’s powers do not extend to the IGP but the President.
“The Police Service Commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established under Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. By virtue of Paragraph 30, part 1 of the third schedule to the Constitution and clause 6 (1) of the Police Service Commission (Establisment) Act, 2001, the Commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police).
“The law is clear on the mandate of the Commission, and it does not extend to the Inspector General of Police who is an appointee of Mr. President with the advice of the Police Council.
“The Commission at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on Friday 31st January 2025, only considered and took decision on the regularisation of the date of the First appointment of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants. This has nothing to do with the Inspector General of Police or his office.
“The Commission at the Meeting passionately revisited its decision of 27th and 28th of September, 2017 and came to the conclusion that the early decision that Force Entrants should have their Cadet date of appointment in the Force against the date of enlistment, in its intent and purpose contradicted the principles of merger of service in the Public Service ‘and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of birth’ It, therefore, set aside the earlier decision.
“The Commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers which the Constitution has bestowed on it and is not interested in shopping for more powers that obviously are not backed by law.
PSC maintained a close and complementary working relationship with the Inspector General of Police in the overall interest of the Nigeria Police Force.
It said the commission will continue to support the Police Force to achieve its Constitutional mandate of providing security and maintaining law and order across the nation.
