Why we excluded IGP Egbetokun from retiring 60-year-old officers directive, PSC weighs in  

The PSC weighed in on Monday, February 3, 2025, following widespread criticism and advocacy concerning the office of the current IGP, who had clocked 60 like his retiring colleagues.

Naijaonpoint reports that human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore is facing a case at a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime charges instituted against him by the Inspector-General of Police.

The police alleged that Sowore referred to Egbetokun as “the illegal IG of the Nigeria Police Force” on his X (formerly Twitter) page and captioned the IGP’s picture with:

“Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption—a country run by characterless people cannot make progress.” 

Upon arraignment last Thursday, January 30, 2025, Sowore denied the allegations of cybercrime, insisting in a press interview that the current IGP remains “illegal” in his position.

Twenty-four hours later, on January 31, 2025, the Police Service Commission approved the immediate retirement of senior police officers who had served for more than 35 years or were above 60 years of age, thereby sparking further criticism of the IGP’s continued stay in office.

PSC Responds 

The commission stated, “that it does not have the constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police.”

“The commission, at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on Friday, 31st January 2025, only considered and took a 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 at the meeting passionately revisited its decision of 27th and 28th September 2017 and concluded that the earlier decision that Force entrants should have their cadet date of appointment in the Force against the date of enlistment, in its intent and purpose, contradicted the principles of merger of service in the public service and was in violation of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which provides for retirement upon attaining 35 years in service or 60 years of age.”   

“It, therefore, set aside the earlier decision,” the PSC added.   

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.

However, in a statement, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on January 30, 2025, 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.

However, the AGF, who is the chief law officer of the federal government, explained that before Egbetokun’s retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the officeholder to complete the original four-year term granted under Section 7(6) of the Act, notwithstanding his attainment of 60 years.

However, the AGF, who is the chief law officer of the federal government, explained that before Egbetokun’s retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the officeholder to complete the original four-year term granted under Section 7(6) of the Act, notwithstanding his attainment of 60 years.

What this means: The development further deepens the discourse on the tenure of the current IGP. Relevant stakeholders are waiting to hear the court’s decision on the matter.