The Police Service Commission (PSC) has stated that it does not have the constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
This clarification follows concerns over the PSC’s recent directive enforcing the retirement of officers who have served for 35 years or reached 60 years of age.
PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani explained that while the Commission oversees police appointments, promotions, and discipline, its mandate does not cover the IGP, who is appointed by the President with advice from the Police Council.
He said, “The Police Service Commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established under Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. By virtue of Paragraph 30, part 1 of the third schedule to the Constitution and clause 6 (1) of the Police Service Commission (Establisment) Act, 2001, the Commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police).
“The law is clear on the mandate of the Commission, and it does not extend to the Inspector General of Police who is an appointee of Mr. President with the advice of the Police Council.
“The Commission at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on Friday 31st January 2025, only considered and took decision on the regularisation of date of First appointment of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants. This has nothing to do with the Inspector General of Police or his office.
“The Commission at the Meeting passionately revisited its decision of 27th and 28th of September, 2017 and came to the conclusion that the early decision that Force Entrants should have their Cadet date of appointment in the Force against the date of enlistment, in its intent and purpose contradicted the principles of 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 attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of birth” It therefore set aside the earlier decision.
“The Commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers which the Constitution has bestowed on it and is not interested in shopping for more powers that obviously are not backed by law.
The PSC reaffirmed its commitment to working with the IGP to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force.
