IGP takes major action as senior police officers defy retirement orders

In a new development surrounding the retirement of top police officers, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has established a disciplinary committee to address cases of senior officials who have allegedly refused to step down despite reaching the mandatory retirement criteria of 60 years of age or 35 years of service.

The committee is scheduled to convene at the Force Headquarters in Abuja from tomorrow through Thursday, according to sources.

Those summoned include an Assistant Inspector General, at least two Commissioners of Police, and a senior police legal officer.

In his directive, the IGP instructed the affected officers to appear in their “clean working dress,” emphasizing strict adherence to the daily dress code during the proceedings.

This move follows a recent directive from the Police Service Commission (PSC), which during a meeting in Abuja earlier this month, ordered the immediate retirement of all senior officers who have surpassed the service limits.

PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, recalled: “The Commission at its 24th Plenary Meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017 had approved that the Force Entrants should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment.”

He further explained the rationale behind the Commission’s latest decision: “The Commission has passionately revisited their decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of a merger of service in the public service, and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.

“Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.

“The Commission’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.”

The PSC’s directive has faced criticism, with some questioning why certain officers are being forced into retirement while IGP Egbetokun’s tenure was recently extended by President Bola Tinubu. However, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), defended the move, stating that the President acted within the bounds of the law.

In a related legal battle, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria has adjourned until March 18 the case filed by some police officers challenging their forced retirement. Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Egong Egwu Egong, Edwin Okoro, and three others argue that the PSC improperly calculated their service years from their initial date of entry into the force instead of their admission date into the Police Academy.

Representing the officers, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeleke Agbola urged the court to maintain the status quo until a ruling is made on whether the PSC’s actions violated an existing judgment.

“The judgment of the court is that the date is when the policemen got into the Academy. There is no appeal against the judgment,” Agbola stated.

He further appealed to the court: “to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the committal proceedings to determine if there has been a breach on the basis that the judgment of the court must be obeyed.”

(NATION)