AGF Fagbemi defends IGP’s ‘lawful’ stay in office until 2027 amid retirement criticisms   

He maintained that Egbetokun is statutorily and constitutionally protected by law to remain as IGP until October 31, 2027, despite reaching retirement age in September 2024.

Fagbemi disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

His position comes amid growing criticisms from some quarters, faulting the IGP’s alleged tenure extension.

Recall that in July 2024, the Senate passed the Police Act Amendment Bill.  

Recently, criticisms of the current IGP have intensified online, even as a pending lawsuit had been filed against the alleged tenure extension by Barrister Maxwell Opara. 

In his statement, the AGF acknowledged that Egbetokun’s appointment, which took effect on October 31, 2023, would ordinarily have ended upon his attainment of 60 years of age on September 4, 2024.

“This has, therefore, statutorily extended Egbetokun’s tenure until October 31, 2027, allowing him to complete the four-year term granted to him.   

“For the avoidance of doubt, Egbetokun’s continued stay in office aligns with the provisions of the Police Act as amended in 2024, which allows the occupant of the office to serve a four-year term effective from the date of appointment as IGP, in this case, October 31, 2023,” Fagbemi stated.

The AGF added that this legal advisory was necessary to guide the general public.

Naijaonpoint reports that Egbetokun was appointed as the new acting IGP barely three months after the Police Service Commission approved his appointment as a Deputy Inspector General of Police, representing the South West geopolitical zone.

Naijaonpoint previously reported that the Federal Government had explained why it extended the tenure of the past Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, despite him reaching the retirement age of 60.

“Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”  

This subsection of the Police Act affirms the IGP’s four-year term.

However, it is now left for the courts to make pronouncement on the pending suit challenging the IGP tenure.