Why IG Egbetokun continued stay in office is lawful – AGF

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Why IG Egbetokun continued stay in office is lawful – AGF

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has explained why the continued stay in office of the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun is both legal and lawful.

The AGF in a statement said although, Egbetokun was due for retirement last year upon attaining the age of 60 years, but had to stay on owing to the amendment of the Police Act, which allows the occupant of the office to serve out a four year tenure, starting from the date of his appointment as IGP.
“The appointment of Egbetokun which took effect from October 31, 2023 would have come to an end on his attainment of 60 years of age on September 4, 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.
“This has, therefore, statutorily extended the tenure of office of Egbetokun to and including October 31, 2027 in order to complete the four year tenure granted to him.

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Fagbemi stated that the advisory is necessary for the guidance of the general public.
A former presidential candidate and rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, was on Tuesday arraigned on charges of cybercrime offences after he had described Egbetokun as an illegal Inspector General of Police.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has described claims that IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun’s continued stay in office is illegal as baseless and misleading.
“Such claims are entirely unfounded and seek to undermine the legitimacy of the IGP’s appointment as well as public confidence in the Nigeria Police,” the Nigeria Police Force said in a statement by its spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Thursday evening.
Dismissing the claim, police, in the statement by Adejobi said IGP Egbetokun’s appointment is firmly grounded in law, specifically PART III, Section 7 (6) of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended).
“This provision explicitly states that “The person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years.”

“Moreover, his appointment was duly ratified by the Police Council, and he has received the requisite confirmation letter from the Presidency, validating his tenure from October 31, 2023, to October 31, 2027, in line with the provisions of Section 8A of the executive bill passed which amended the Police Act, clearly stating that “Any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of section 7(6) of this Act.