By Adewole Kehinde
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” —Pelé
“Congratulations! You fought the hyenas and the lions; you won the war.”
The above message was from a colleague who has been monitoring my activities to clarify Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020 and the Executive Bill, Section 18(8a).
Many sponsored articles and editorials sprang up, especially from people who have no business with the office of the Inspector General of Police.
The last of such came from a Thisday Newspaper publication of Wednesday, 28th August 2024, titled “As CSOs Slam Tinubu’s Move to Extend IGP’s Tenure via Police Act Amendment,” where one Sunday Ehigiator and Esther Oluku wrote on the position of civil society groups as they called on the President to shun what they described as an attempt to “subvert the law in Egbetokun’s favour.”
As I have emphasised in all my publications, the appointment of IGP Kayode Egbetokun is based on a four-year tenure in line with the provisions of the Police Act of 2020.
Section 7 of the Police Act of 2020 stipulates that: “(2) The person to be appointed as Inspector-General of Police shall be a senior police officer not below the rank of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police with the requisite academic qualifications of not less than a first degree or its equivalent in addition to professional and management experience.
“(3) The Inspector-General of Police shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Police Council from among serving members of the Police Force.
“(6) The person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years.”
By the provision of the Police Act 2020, the Inspector General of Police is supposed to have a tenure of the four-year period, and Mr. President on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, further clarified by sending an executive bill to the National Assembly, which was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.
It is true that Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020 makes direct reference to the civil service rule on retirement, which states: “Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.”
However, the Police Act Amendment Bill enables a person appointed to the office of Inspector General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.
Section 18(8a) was amended to clarify Section 7(6) of the Police Act of 2020.
Section 18(8a), “Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act,” the bill reads.
Egbetokun is an appointee of the President, and his appointment letter stated his tenure clearly and was backed by the Police Act (as amended).
For those ignorant saying that the completion of his tenure will stagnate the rise of numerous officers, it is on record that the Police Service Commission a few days ago promoted some officers to various ranks from Chief Superintendent of Police to Assistant Inspector General of Police level.
Completing his 4-year tenure will never stagnate the rise of numerous officers under him, as only one person can become an Inspector General of Police at a time.
Rather, the completion of his 4-year tenure will ensure continuity and stability within the Nigeria Police. This will help maintain institutional knowledge and prevent turnover-related disruptions.
The 4-year tenure will lead to increased efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out responsibilities.
It is my strong belief that this will allow the IGP to focus on his longer-term planning and goal-setting.
Egbetokun’s completion of his tenure will surely bring various benefits to the Nigeria Police, contributing to a more stable, knowledgeable, and productive work environment.
I, therefore, commend President Tinubu for quickly making clarification on the sacrosanct 4-year tenure of the Inspector General of Police in line with Section 7(6) and Section 18(8a) of the Police Act of 2020 (as amended).
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846 or kennyadewole@gmail.com
