The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has faulted the continued stay in office of Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector General of Police.
CDHR’s National President, Debo Adeniran, in a Monday statement, said Egbetokun ceased to be a civil servant given his age, which is above 60 years as stipulated in the civil service rules.
He reiterated that only a serving police officer should head the police force.
“We at CDHR strongly condemn the continued stay in office of the Inspector General of Police in clear violation of the Civil Service Rule, due process, and democratic principles. This brazen disregard for the rule of law undermines public trust in the Nigeria Police Force and erodes the credibility of our democratic institutions.
“The Civil Service Rule has been incorporated into the Police Act as the retirement age of every police officer, that is, 60 years old, or 35 years of service, whichever comes first. This provision is the foundation as you cannot be an IGP without being a serving officer in the Police Force.
“Morally and ethically, the IGP is a civil servant who should be bound by the civil service rules,” Adeniran stressed.
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“Any attempt to extend or manipulate this tenure for the IGP outside legal frameworks is an affront to the principles of justice, fairness, and accountability. It sets a dangerous precedent for impunity, political interference, and the weakening of institutional integrity,” he added.
In last few days, many Nigerians including human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, have criticises Egbetokun’s stay in office as IGP, some senior police officers spoken to also raised eyebrows over the development, saying the extension had “killed” career growth of some officers.
However, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in January, affirmed the legality of the continued stay in office of Egbetokun.
Fagbemi, in a statement, 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 on October 31, 2023, would have ended upon his attainment of 60 years of age on September 24, 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.
But the CDHR, which noted it was not discountenancing the IGP’s wealth of experience, expressed concern that “if the older ones don’t go, the younger ones will not ascend the ladder. So he should be kind enough to relinquish the post for somebody younger in obedience to the Public Service Rules.”
The statement further urged President Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law by ensuring the immediate appointment of a new IGP in line with constitutional provisions.
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