From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Police Service Commission has mandated the immediate retirement of all senior police officials who have surpassed 35 years of service or are over 60.
This comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the tenure of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun having attained the retirement age of 60 years on September 4, 2024.
Earlier, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, explained that Egbetokun whose appointment took effect from October 31, 2023, would remain in office until October 31, 2027, when his four-year tenure will elapse.
The AGF explained that before his retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the occupant of the office to remain and complete the original four-year term granted under Section 7 (6) of the Act, even though he has attained the age of 60 years.
But the PSC in a statement issued on Friday through its Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the commission had reconsidered its previous position from the 24th plenary meeting held in September 2017, which permitted police force entrants to count their date of enlistment instead of their original appointment date.
Ani indicated that the PSC has now reversed this decision, referencing its inconsistency with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which requires retirement upon reaching either 35 years of service or 60.
“The Police Service Commission rose from its first extraordinary meeting with the approval for the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.
“The commission has passionately revisited their decision and has concluded that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of the merger of service in the public service and it violates Public Service Rule No 020908 ( i & ii), which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age,” the statement said.
Ani added that the resolutions had been communicated to the police chief for immediate implementation.