₦airaland Forum

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.

“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

Saao:
I'm not a lawyer but even if there was amendments, the current igp shouldn't have benefited from it because he was an igp before and after the amendments so he shouldn't have benefited from the amendments as his appointment wasn't based on the amendments.

Mynd44:
Your argument is like saying Obasanjo couldn’t have benefitted from the third term bill if it was signed because he was already president when the amendment was passed

Samajogs:
Democracy government of the tribe,for the tribe and by the tribe.

Mynd44:
Your argument is like saying Obasanjo couldn’t have benefitted from the third term bill if it was signed because he was already president when the amendment was passed

Mynd44:
Your argument is like saying Obasanjo couldn’t have benefitted from the third term bill if it was signed because he was already president when the amendment was passed

Omooba77:
https://punchng.com/ig-stay-in-office-lawful-despite-retirement-age-agf/

Saao:
that's why it was thrown out. Again police acts is subject to public service rules.
7 Rule 020810 of Chapter two (2) of the Public Service Rules (PSR) states that the compulsory retirement age for all grades in the service shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier, and no officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 ... That guy won't survive it in court.

bdon123:
Bt who adjusted d act?was national assembly members involved?does d law require national assembly or house of reps to deliberate before final accent of presido?
We will never know....

Mynd44:
Your argument is like saying Obasanjo couldn’t have benefitted from the third term bill if it was signed because he was already president when the amendment was passed

Saao:
that's why it was thrown out. Again police acts is subject to public service rules.
7 Rule 020810 of Chapter two (2) of the Public Service Rules (PSR) states that the compulsory retirement age for all grades in the service shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier, and no officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 ... That guy won't survive it in court.

Bobloco:
They continue to defend their actions even if it goes against national interest

It's all about their selfish interest

Tinubu and fagbemi doesn't care about the fact that the amended Police Act contradicts the Service Act’s provision that public servants must retire after 35 years of service or at 60 years of age, whichever comes first.

This is what you get under a government run by a notorious narcotics drug trafficker, certificate forger, and buccaneering power grabber engaged in criminal state capture.

xpressionx:
E shock una abi

reuben81:
u can't argue with that because it never happened