By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, seeking to amend the Police Act of 2020.
The bill, passed by the lawmakers on Tuesday, would allow the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to complete his tenure as stipulated in the appointment letter.
President Bola Tinubu, had, on Tuesday, forwarded the Police Act Amendment Bill to the House of Representatives, seeking to amend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The proposed amendment addresses the contentious issue surrounding the retirement age and tenure of the IGP.
The current IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, appointed in June 2023 for a four-year term, is at the centre of this legislative adjustment.
Earlier in July, the Nigeria Police Force had refuted claims that IGP Egbetokun attempted to lobby the National Assembly for a bill to extend the retirement age of officers.
According to Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, born on September 4, 1964, is mandated to retire in September 2024 when he turns 60, which would cut short his tenure to just one year and three months out of the four-year term.
This issue isn’t new and has also surrounded Egbetokun’s predecessor, Usman Baba, who continued in office beyond his retirement age.
Baba reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in March 2023 but remained IGP until his replacement by Egbetokun.
The bill provides clarity and stability in the leadership of the Nigerian police force, ensuring that the IGP can serve the full term as appointed without abrupt retirement due to age constraints.