The House of Representatives, on Tuesday passed the Police Act Amendment Bill which allows the occupant of the Office of the Inspector General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.
This decision by the House followed the consideration and approval of President Tinubu’s request, seeking an amendment to the Principal Act to reflect on the tenure of the IGP.
The proposal to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020 is intended to guarantee the tenure of the IGP and enhance police operations by promoting accountability, modernising policing methods, and fostering a more harmonious relationship between the police and the community.
Lawmakers voted unanimously to pass it expeditiously when the executive bill was read on the floor of the House on Tuesday. Similarly, the Senate passed the bill during its sitting on Tuesday.
A lot of controversies surround the passing of the bill as some sections believed it to have been influenced by the incumbent IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. Earlier in July, police authorities denied allegations that the incumbent IGP made moves to influence the National Assembly to pass a bill seeking to raise the retirement age of officers.
The President appointed Egbetokun as the IGP in June 2023, and he is expected to stay in office for four years. He was appointed alongside four new service chiefs.
In line with Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, is expected to retire in September 2024 at the age of 60.
A copy of the bill obtained from the House showed that Section 18 of the Principal Act is amended by the addition of a new Sub-Section (8A) which reads, “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.”
