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The festering controversy over the continued stay in office of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, despite attaining 60 years of age, and despite the extension granted him by the amended Police Act, has remained unabated.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!If anything, the controversial matter has given birth to a lot of unhealthy developments not only in the Force but also in other para-military armed services, such as Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration Service, Correctional Service, Civil Defence etc.. Their position is why the police should be singled out for such special consideration and treatment when they all fall into the category.
Questions are being asked why the service chiefs of the armed forces should not enjoy the same privilege as the police. Sources hinted that restiveness and anxiety palpable over the implications of the amended Act have become worrisome to ambitious officers, who may not have the opportunity to become IGP before their retirement given that Egbetokun will remain in office until 2027.
Last week, the House of Reps summoned the CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, and others to appear before them to explain why they are refusing to obey the Public Service Act by retiring on the attainment of service age of 60 years or tenure of 35 years, whichever comes first. Sources hinted that the surreptitiously, politically motivated amendment of the Police Act to extend Egbetokun’s tenure is breeding bad blood in the services, and regarded as nepotistic and discriminatory.
Another fallout of the Egbetokun good luck is the alleged reluctance of some senior officers to retire having been given a marching order to do so. These officers are alleged to have falsified their age in order to continue in the service, but sources said Egbetokun has ordered them to retire. But it was learned that the six senior police officers implicated in age falsification and circumventing service regulations have been threatening the IGP with exposure, arguing that he must retire along with them.
The six officers are Idowu Owohunwa, Simon Lough, SAN, Benneth Igweh, Aina Emmanuel, Salama Wakili Abdul, and Adepoju Olugbenga.
The Police Service Commission, PSC, was said to have ordered these senior police officers, who are either over 60 years old or have served for more than 35 years and refused to retire, to appear before a disciplinary committee at the Force Headquarters in Abuja about a week ago. The PSC has no oversight function on the IGP, which reports directly to the president through the NSA.
The hearings were scheduled between Monday, February 10, and Thursday, February 13.
Sources familiar with the matter told Business Hallmark that Lough, Owohunwa, and the other officers invited to appear before the disciplinary committee might be demoted or dismissed outright. “The goal of the IGP Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) is to reduce the ranks and/or dismiss them outright,” a source hinted.
It was gathered that aside from the fact that they have refused to retire unless Egbetokun — who has also surpassed his retirement age — retires with them, the senior officers are claiming that all actions taken by the police chief (Egbetokun) since his official retirement date on September 4, 2024, are without effect in law.
They averred that all actions taken by Egbetokun since then are null and void, including his issuance of retirement letters to them, which they have refused to acknowledge.
“The senior police officers invited to appear before a disciplinary committee are threatening the police IG Egbetokun with court action, saying that he must retire along with them since he has also passed his retirement and only saved by the President and the National Assembly,” one of the sources said.
“They also said that every action taken by Egbetokun since last September 4, his official retirement date, is illegal, including, but not limited to, the issuance of retirement letters to them, which they have refused to honour.”
Additionally, the senior police officers were said to have have decided to appear before the disciplinary committee in their “working dress” as an admission by the police authorities that they are still very much in active service.
“They are also saying that if he ordered them to arrive in uniform for disciplinary action after they have been purportedly retired, then he is accepting that they are still in service,” one of the sources said. Egbetokun, had reportedly ordered that the senior police officers, who refused to retire should appear before a disciplinary committee. The police signal dated February 7, 2025, reads, “
“INGENPOL directs you… AP. No. 50645 Idowu Owohunwa, AΡ/ΝΟ. 50703, AIG Benneth Igweh, ΑΡ/ΝΟ. 41704, CP Aina Emmanuel, AP/NO.41741, CP Salama Wakili Abdul, ΑΡ/ΝΟ. 46522, Adepoju Olugbenga Adewole, AP/NO. 57917 DCP Simon Lough, SAN, serving yours to appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) sitting from 10/02/2025 to 13/05/2025.
“Time 1000HRS; venue IGP’S Conference Hall, 7th floor, Force Headquarters, Abuja. They are to report in their clean working dress; note the daily dress code to be strictly adhered to. Treat it as very important please.”
Refusal of some officers to retire has also led to tensions between Egbetokun and the Deputy Inspector General of the Federal Investigation Department, Dasuki Galadanchi, it was learned.
Galadanchi, it was learned is also seeking a two-year extension, citing the precedent set by Egbetokun, who was granted an extension despite being due for retirement last year.
Galadanchi is set to retire next month, sources hinted that IG Egbetokun was not keen on having Galadanchi around due to concerns about his conduct and behavior. He has been described as having a reckless lifestyle and a larger-than-life demeanor.
“Galandanchi is stating that if he must retire, Egbetokun must also retire,” one of the sources privy to happenings in the Force said.
It was gathered that almost 500 police officers were implicated in the scandal involving forgery, age falsification, and bypassing service regulations. Many of them are said to have quietly retired.
But in the thick of the controversy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, weighed in, saying that the continued stay of Egbetokun is legal, adding that there is nothing out of place in it.
Minister Fagbemi (SAN), affirmed the legality of Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, referencing the amended Police Act, which allows the IGP to serve a full four-year term irrespective of the retirement age.
In his clarification, he said: “The continuous stay in office of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is legal and lawful. The appointment of Egbetokun, which took effect from the 31st day of October 2023 would have come to an end on his attainment of 60 years of age on 4th day of September 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.
What does the law say?
According to the Police Act 2020 Section 18(8), it stipulates that every police officer shall serve for a period of 35 years or until attaining the age of 60 years, whichever comes first, while Section 7(6) as amended: Specifies that the person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years.
Based on this, it was expected that IGP Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, and had reached the age of 60 on September 4, 2024, which, under Section 18(8), would typically mandate his retirement.
Legislative Amendment
However, Section 7(6) provides for a four-year tenure for the IGP, creating a legal ambiguity between the general retirement provisions and the specific tenure of the IGP. It was to address this inconsistency that the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.
This amendment introduces a new subsection, 18(8A), which states: “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 amendment clarifies that the IGP is entitled to a four-year tenure, regardless of the general retirement age or years of service limitations. Based on this, it is expected that IGP Egbetokun is legally permitted to continue serving until 2027, completing his four-year term as outlined in his appointment letter.
Police React
In response to criticism of Egbetokun’s continued stay, amplified by Omoyele Sowore, who claimed that Egbetokun is an illegal IG, the Nigeria Police Force refuted Sowore’s claims, asserting that IGP Egbetokun’s appointment and tenure are legally sound. In a press release issued by the Force Spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi cited the Police Act 2020 (as amended), which stipulates a four-year term for the IGP, regardless of age or years of service. The police emphasized that Egbetokun’s appointment was duly ratified by the Police Council and confirmed by the Presidency, validating his tenure from October 31, 2023, to October 31, 2027.
Many legal minds spoken to by this medium contend that the senior officers should have obeyed the Inspector general and quietly retired.” What the officers did is insubordination; they should have retired, and they are comparing themselves with Egbetokun has no basis in law. The amended Police Act has covered Egbetokun and granted him an extension, that is legal. Whether there is politics in it doesn’t matter”, Leke Job, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria told Business Hallmark.
He averred that all over the world the president has the prerogative to choose whoever he or she is comfortable with as inspector general. “Mr. President has through lobby been able to influence the extension using legal procedure. A bill to that effect was sent and after parliamentary review and reading, it was passed. That is normal. Egbetokun has not committed any crime, neither has the president”, he continued.
“Mr. Egbetokun has done well no matter the criticism. Under him, he has stridently canvassed for discipline, many ranks and files have been dismissed for various misdemeanors, he has tried to influence the recognition of human rights, and many other positive things”, Mr. Job noted.
The extension of IGP Egbetokun’s tenure has engendered mixed feelings. While some stakeholders within the security architecture commended the extension, others voiced worries that extending the IGP’s tenure beyond the normal retirement age stifles progress, leads to stagnation within the police force and potentially impacts internal security dynamics. They further asserted that regular leadership changes are essential for maintaining an effective security architecture.
To the other group, the NPF has clarified that the approval of the IGP’s four-year tenure is not an extension but a proper application of the law governing the office of the IGP and, therefore, aligns with the provisions of the amended Police Act.
