The statement said the publications alleged that IGP Kayode Egbetokun personally initiated the bill to prolong his tenure and had invested significantly in lobbying lawmakers to facilitate its passage.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has discredited publications that he lobbied the National Assembly to alter the Nigeria Police Act 2020 to extend his tenure and year of service of police personnel.
The police boss, in a statement on Monday by Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, noted that the bill was originally introduced during the eighth assembly but did not progress beyond the initial stages before the assembly’s dissolution.
He said the Nigeria Police Force was deeply perturbed by the dissemination of false information across various media platforms, notably the publication by Sahara Reporters, regarding the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
The police boss also said the proposed amendment seeks to extend the years of service for police officers from 35 to 40 years, and the age limit from 60 to 65 years.
According to the statement, “The misleading publications alleged that IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun personally initiated this bill to prolong his tenure as the 22nd indigenous Inspector General of Police, and has allegedly invested significantly in lobbying lawmakers to facilitate its passage.
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“It is vital to clarify unequivocally that the bill was originally introduced during the 8th Assembly but did not progress beyond the initial stages before the Assembly’s dissolution. It is standard legislative practice to review and update laws to align with current national realities.”
Egbetokun expressed regret that certain media outlets and their sponsors have chosen to propagate baseless accusations, ignorantly disregarding the fact that any modification to existing legislation is designed to enhance its effectiveness and relevance.
The statement said Egbetokun’s “advocacy for this bill stems from a genuine belief in its potential to improve the conditions of service for police officers and thereby bolster security nationwide, rather than seeking personal gain. It comes from the place of duty rather than benefit.
“Furthermore, it is important to note that the tenure of an Inspector General of Police is already prescribed as four years, with the President being the sole authority empowered to remove an IGP before the completion of his tenure.”