Again Sowore Protests, Demands IGP Egbetokun To Vacate Office
Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore has once again urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to resign, citing that he has surpassed the constitutional retirement age of 60 years. Sowore expressed this demand yesterday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, emphasizing that it is unacceptable for Egbetokun to remain in his position beyond September 4, 2024, when he will turn 60.
Egbetokun, who was expected to retire from the police service on that date, received a four-year extension from the president following an amendment to the law governing appointments to the IGP position by the National Assembly. In July of the previous year, the Senate swiftly passed the Police Act Amendment Bill, 2024, which established a four-year term for the IGP.
However, Sowore, leading members of the ‘Take-It Back Movement’ at the Force Headquarters, maintained that Egbetokun’s continued tenure as IGP is both illegal and unconstitutional.
The amendment that has sparked various reactions involved the addition of Section 18(8A) by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. According to Section 18(8) of the Police Act, “Every police officer shall, upon recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for a duration of 35 years or until reaching the age of 60 years, whichever comes first.”
Part III, Section 7(6) of the Act, which repealed the Police Act Cap. P19, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, established a single four-year tenure for individuals appointed to the position of Inspector-General of Police, in accordance with the stipulations of clause 18(8).
However, Section 18(8A) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 was amended to state: “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, any individual appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in that position until the conclusion of the term specified in the appointment letter, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”
In response, Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the recent election, has asserted that he will continue to refer to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP,” arguing that the extension of his term did not adhere to proper procedures. Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has affirmed that Egbetokun’s ongoing tenure is both legal and legitimate.
