On Monday, the Police Service Commission (PSC) denied issuing any directive for the immediate retirement of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The commission had, on Friday, instructed officers over 60 years old or with more than 35 years of service to retire immediately. This order came amidst controversy surrounding the IG’s tenure, as he turned 60 last year.
Despite clarifications from both the police and the Attorney General of the Federation, concerns about Egbetokun’s tenure remained.
In a statement on Monday, the PSC’s Head of Media, Ikechukwu Ani, clarified that the IG was not affected by the retirement directive and that the commission had no authority over his tenure.
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He said, “The PSC has been inundated with calls, messages and reports on the status of the IG in the aftermath of the commission’s decision, directing all serving police officers who have served for 35 years or attained the age of 60 years to proceed on immediate retirement in line with the nation’s existing laws.
“The commission wishes to state that it does not have the constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police.
“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 (Establishment) 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).”
Ani explained that the IG is a presidential appointee, chosen based on the advice of the Police Council.
He said, “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 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.
“It notes that it has maintained a close and complementary working relationship with the Inspector General of Police in the overall interest of the Nigeria Police Force.”
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