THE Police Service Commission (PSC) has clarified that it has no constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stressing that only the President has the power to appoint or remove the IGP.
The commission issued the statement following public enquiries regarding its recent directive mandating police officers who have served over 35 years or reached 60 years of age to retire in line with constitutional provisions.
PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement today, emphasized that the commission’s powers do not extend to the Inspector-General of Police.
Citing Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution and Paragraph 30, Part 1 of the Third Schedule, as well as Clause 6(1) of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, the commission reaffirmed that it is responsible for the appointment, promotion, dismissal, and disciplinary control of police officers—except for the IGP, whose appointment is made by the President based on the advice of the Police Council.
The statement further clarified that the PSC’s recent decision at its first Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on January 31, 2025, was solely focused on the regularization of the first appointment date of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants. The commission insisted that this decision had nothing to do with Egbetokun’s tenure or office.
PSC explained that it had reviewed its September 2017 decision on force entrants and concluded that the initial directive, which set their cadet date of appointment to the date of enlistment, contradicted public service regulations.
According to Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), retirement is required either after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age. As a result, the earlier directive was set aside.
The commission reaffirmed that it is comfortable with its constitutional powers and is not seeking additional authority beyond what the law provides. It also emphasized that it maintains a close and complementary working relationship with the Inspector-General of Police in the interest of national security and law enforcement.
The PSC pledged continued support for the Nigeria Police Force in its mission to provide security and maintain law and order across the country.