- Safiu Kehinde
The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has defended the stay of Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), stressing that his tenure in office is lawful.
Fagbemi admitted that the appointment of Egbetokun which took effect from Oct. 31, 2023 will have come to an end on his attainment of 60 years of age on Sept. 4, 2024.
He, however explained,.in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, that the Police Act was amended prior to his attainment of the retirement age.
The amended Act stipulated that the occupant of the office remain and complete his four years term regardless of him or her attaining the retirement age of 60.
“…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, notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the age of 60 years.
“This has, therefore, statutorily extended the tenure of office of Egbetokun October 31, 2027 in order to complete the four year tenure granted to him.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Egbetokun’s continuous stay in office is in line with the provisions of the Police Act amended in 2024 which allow the occupant of the office to enjoy a term of four years effective from the date of his appointment as IGP, in this case.” Fagbemi statement.
He noted that the advisory is necessary for the guidance of the general public.
The AGF’s defense is coming under the heels of claim by human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, that the IGP’s stay is illegitimate.