The Police Service Commission (PSC) has denied ordering for the immediate retirement of the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun.
The PSC’s Head of Media, Ikechukwu Ani, revealed it in a statement this Monday saying that the IG was not included in the commission’s directive and the commission has no authority over Egbetokun.
He said the commission received calls, messages and reports on the status of the IG after it made the announcement ordering officers over 60 years old or have served for more than 35 years to proceed with immediate retirement on Friday.
The statement read, “The PSC has been inundated with calls, messages, and reports on the status of the IG following the commission’s decision, directing all serving police officers who have served for 35 years or have attained the age of 60 years to proceed on immediate retirement, in line with the nation’s existing laws.
“The commission wishes to state that it does not have the constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police.
“The Police Service Commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established under Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. By virtue of Paragraph 30, Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Clause 6(1) of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, the commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal, and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector-General of Police).”
Ani clarified that the IG is a presidential appointee who was chosen based on the advice of the Police Council adding that the meeting held on Friday only considered the regularization of the date of first appoint of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants and nothing to do with the IG.
“The commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers bestowed upon it by the constitution and is not interested in seeking additional powers that are not backed by law.
“It notes that it has maintained a close and complementary working relationship with the Inspector-General of Police in the overall interest of the Nigeria Police Force,” He added.
However, following clarifications from both the police and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, concerns over the IG’s tenure have continued.