IG stay in office lawful despite retirement age — AGF

 

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has affirmed the legality of the continued stay in office of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, despite his attainment of the mandatory retirement age of 60.

In a statement he signed and released on Thursday, Fagbemi clarified that Egbetokun’s tenure remains valid under the provisions of the newly amended Police Act, which allows an Inspector General of Police to serve a full four-year term irrespective of the retirement age.

“The appointment of Egbetokun, which took effect from 31st October 2023, would have ordinarily ended upon his attainment of 60 years of age on 4th 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,” Fagbemi stated.

The AGF noted that the statutory extension ensures that Egbetokun will serve until 31st October 2027, in fulfilment of his four-year tenure as mandated by law.

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

Fagbemi urged the public to be guided accordingly and to dismiss any misconceptions regarding the IGP’s tenure.

Egbetokun’s stay in office has sparked widespread controversy after he officially reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 on 4th September.

Some critics have described his continued stay in office as illegal.

One of the critics, Abuja-based lawyer Maxwell Okpara, has taken the Federal Government to a High Court in Abuja to challenge the tenure extension of the Inspector General of Police.

Okpara contended that Egbetokun born on 4th September 1964, reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in 2024, according to the Public Service Rules, and was expected to have vacated office.

Additionally, human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who also described Egbetokun’s continued stay in office as illegal, was arrested and charged with cybercrimes.