Grace Tar
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the tenure of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, affirming the legality of his continued stay in office despite attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.
In a statement released on Thursday, Mr. Fagbemi clarified that assertions questioning Mr. Egbetokun’s tenure were misplaced, as recent amendments to the Police Act provide a four-year term for the office of the IGP, overriding the standard retirement age. His comments come amid the prosecution of rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who referred to Mr. Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP” in a social media post.
Responding to these claims, Mr. Fagbemi acknowledged that Mr. Egbetokun would have ordinarily retired in September 2024 upon reaching the age of 60. However, he emphasized that legislative changes enacted prior to this milestone ensure the IGP’s tenure remains valid until the completion of his four-year term.
“The appointment of Egbetokun, which took effect from October 31, 2023, would have ended upon his attainment of 60 years of age on September 4, 2024,” Mr. Fagbemi stated. “However, the amendment to the Police Act allows the holder of the office to serve a full four-year tenure, irrespective of the age limit previously set by the Act.”
Citing Section 7(6) of the amended Act, which states that “any person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years,” Mr. Fagbemi underscored that the revised legislation legally extends Mr. Egbetokun’s tenure until October 31, 2027.
The amendment, introduced as an executive bill and swiftly passed by the National Assembly on July 23, 2023, faced significant public criticism. The bill moved through the legislative process with remarkable speed, scaling second and third readings on the same day in both chambers before its eventual passage.
A crucial addition, Section 18(8A), was introduced to harmonize the tenure provisions with Section 7(6), granting IGPs a fixed term irrespective of the traditional service rules. While Section 18(8) of the principal Act stipulated that police officers must retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age, whichever comes first, the new amendment creates an exception for the IGP, ensuring continuity and stability in police leadership.
Despite government assurances that the amendment seeks to enhance police accountability, modernize policing methods, and strengthen community relations, public skepticism persists. Critics, including the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA), have accused lawmakers of pushing through the changes t o facilitate a prolonged tenure for Mr. Egbetokun.
Similarly, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies argued that the amendment contradicts existing public service retirement policies, raising concerns over its potential impact on police morale and operational efficiency.
The controversy has taken a legal turn, with activist Omoyele Sowore facing cybercrime charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja for his comments labeling Mr. Egbetokun’s tenure illegal. Mr. Sowore pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge and was granted bail on Thursday.
Additionally, Abuja-based lawyer Maxwell Okpara has instituted legal proceedings against the federal government, seeking judicial interpretation of the IGP’s extended tenure. In his suit, filed in September 2024, Mr. Okpara argued that Mr. Egbetokun, having been born on September 4, 1964, had reached the mandatory retirement age and should have vacated office. The case remains pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In defense of the IGP’s tenure, both the AGF and the Nigeria Police Force have insisted on its legality. Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a separate statement, reaffirmed that Mr. Egbetokun’s appointment was in full compliance with the law and had been ratified by the Police Council.
“The Nigeria Police Force unequivocally refutes the baseless allegations by Mr. Omoyele Sowore regarding the IGP’s tenure,” Mr. Adejobi stated. “Such claims are entirely unfounded and seek to erode public trust in the legitimacy of the IGP’s appointment.”
He further emphasized that the tenure extension aligns with Section 8A of the amended Police Act and is backed by a confirmation letter from the Presidency, which officially validates Mr. Egbetokun’s service until October 31, 2027.
According to Mr. Adejobi, the amendment was designed to ensure leadership stability, allowing the IGP to implement long-term reforms without the risk of abrupt dismissal. “This legislative adjustment is intended to enhance police effectiveness and improve law enforcement strategies,” he added.
Urging the public to disregard misinformation, Mr. Adejobi accused Mr. Sowore of attempting to undermine the credibility of the police force through his remarks. “Spreading false narratives regarding the IGP’s tenure threatens national security and disrupts the administration of law and order,” he warned.
As legal and public discourse continues, Mr. Egbetokun remains at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force, with his tenure firmly backed by the amended Police Act and the federal government
