Police commission orders immediate retirement of officers above 60

Police commission orders immediate retirement of officers above 60

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have exceeded 35 years in service or are over 60 years old.

This decision comes amid controversy surrounding the tenure of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, who recently turned 60. However, both the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation have maintained that his continued stay in office is legal.

In a statement on Friday, PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the commission had reviewed its previous stance from a plenary meeting in September 2017, which permitted force entrants to use their enlistment date instead of their initial appointment date.

Ani stated that the commission has now reversed that position, citing its inconsistency with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement upon reaching 35 years in service or the age of 60.

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“The Police Service Commission rose from its first extraordinary meeting with the approval for the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” Ani said.

He added, “The commission at its 24th plenary meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017 had approved that the force entrants should have their date of appointment in the force against the date of their enlistment.

“The commission has passionately revisited their decision and has concluded that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of the merger of service in the public service and it violates Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii), which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.”

Ani further stated that the directive has been formally communicated to the IGP for immediate implementation.

The extraordinary meeting was presided over by PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, and was attended by Justice Adamu Paul Galumje (retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Hon. Commissioner representing the Judiciary), retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Hon. Commissioner representing the Police), and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.

“The commission’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation,” the statement concluded.

Police commission orders immediate retirement of officers above 60