IGP’s Extended Tenure Legal and Lawful – AGF Declares

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) affirms that the Inspector General of Police’s continued stay in office is legal and constitutional.

On Thursday, Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation, justified Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s ongoing tenure in office as both legal and lawful.

Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice, revealed this in a statement he personally signed.

He mentioned that Egbetokun’s appointment, which began on October 31, 2023, would have concluded when he reached the age of 60 on September 4, 2024.

Before he reached retirement age, the Police Act was amended to permit the officeholder to remain in position and complete the original four-year term as specified under Section 7 (6) of the Act, despite having turned 60 years old.

As a result, this has legally extended Egbetokun’s term in office to include October 31st, 2027, allowing him to complete the four-year tenure assigned to him.

To clarify, Egbetokun’s ongoing tenure in office aligns with the provisions of the amended Police Act of 2024. This law permits an IGP to serve a term of four years starting from their appointment date, which for him is October 31st, 2023.