President Bola Tinubu forwarded the Police Act Amendment Bill to the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The bill aims to modify the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
In July, the police refuted allegations that IGP Kayode Egbetokun attempted to influence the National Assembly on a bill to increase officers’ retirement age.
Egbetokun was appointed police chief in June 2023 for a four-year term alongside four new service chiefs. According to Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, is expected to retire in September 2024 when he reaches 60 years of age.
The debate surrounding the tenure of the IGP didn’t just emerge during the current IGP’s time. Egbetokun’s predecessor, Usman Baba, was in a similar situation. Despite reaching 60 in March 2023 and completing the mandatory 35 years of service, Baba remained in his role until Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as his successor months later.