PSC Clears The Air On IGP Egbetokun’s Retirement Plans

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has clarified that it does not possess the constitutional authority to enforce the retirement of Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

This clarification comes in response to public inquiries and reports concerning the IGP’s status, particularly following the PSC’s directive for police officers who have completed 35 years of service or reached the age of 60 to retire in accordance with the law.

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC emphasized that it lacks the constitutional power to determine the appointment or removal of the IGP.

According to the statement, the Police Service Commission is a Federal Executive Body established under Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. Under 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 responsible for the appointment, promotion, dismissal, and disciplinary control of officers in the Nigeria Police Force, excluding the IGP.

The statement further explained that the IGP is appointed by the President on the advice of the Police Council, thus placing the IGP outside the commission’s jurisdiction.

Additionally, the PSC noted that during its first extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board on January 31, 2025, the board only reviewed and regularized the initial appointment dates of cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) and inspector force entrants, which had no bearing on the IGP’s tenure.

“The law is clear on the mandate of the Commission, and it does not extend to the IGP, who is an appointee of the President, with the advice of the Police Council. The decision taken at the 31st January meeting pertains solely to the regularization of the appointment dates for CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants and is unrelated to the IGP’s office,” the PSC stated.

The PSC also revisited its previous decision from 2017 regarding the appointment date for force entrants and acknowledged inconsistencies with public service regulations.