Inspector General of Police Denies Allegations of Lobbying for Tenure Extension
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed reports alleging that he has been lobbying the National Assembly to alter the Nigeria Police Act 2020 to elongate his tenure and the years of service for personnel in the force.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP clarified that the proposed bill was originally introduced during the 8th Assembly but did not progress beyond the initial stages before the Assembly’s dissolution.
“It is standard legislative practice to review and update laws to align with current national realities,” Adejobi said.
The proposed amendment seeks to extend the years of service for police officers from 35 to 40 years and the age limit from 60 to 65 years.
“The Nigeria Police Force is deeply perturbed by the dissemination of false information across various media platforms, notably the distorted publication by online media, regarding the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020,” Adejobi stated.
He emphasized that allegations claiming IGP Egbetokun personally initiated the bill to prolong his tenure as the 22nd indigenous Inspector General of Police are baseless.
The claims also suggested that he has significantly invested in lobbying lawmakers to facilitate the bill’s passage.
“To understand the true motivations behind this initiative, one needs only look at the Inspector General of Police’s steadfast commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police Force. His advocacy for this bill stems from a genuine belief in its potential to improve the conditions of service for police officers and thereby bolster security nationwide, rather than seeking personal gain. It comes from the place of duty rather than benefit,” Adejobi added.
The Force reiterated that the tenure of an Inspector General of Police is already prescribed as four years, with the President being the sole authority empowered to remove an IGP before the completion of his tenure.
The public is urged to exercise caution and discernment when consuming information, particularly from sources known for sensationalism and unverified claims.
