An Abuja based Legal practitioner, Barrister Francis Emechete has said that the President has the powers to extend the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) even after the occupier has reached the retirement age of 60 or spent 35 years in service.
Recall that there has been some controversy on the tenure of the IGP which led to former presidential aspirant and renowned human rights activist, Comrade Omoyele Sowore calling the current IGP, Kayode Egbetokun an illegal IGP which led to his arrest and court trial. The case is still in court with some section of Nigerians calling for the immediate release of the human rights activist. Some critics of the Tinubu administration opine that the police is being used to intimidate and silence critics as well as hound them into illegal detention.
Lawyer and Politician, Dele Farotimi who was recently released from detention in Ekiti State took sides with Sowore when he said that the IGP‘s tenure was illegally extended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In Emechete’s words: “The President of Nigeria possesses the constitutional authority to extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), but this power is subject to certain conditions. According to Section 215(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, the President has the discretion to appoint and remove the IGP, along with other senior police officers. However, extending or reappointing an IGP beyond their original tenure must be done in accordance with legal provisions, including consultations with the Nigerian Police Council.
In 2017, the Nigeria Police Act was amended to include specific provisions regarding the IGP’s tenure. While the standard term for an IGP is four years, the President has the authority to extend the IGP’s tenure if deemed necessary, but this must be done within the framework of the law and constitutional guidelines.
In summary, while the President holds the power to extend the IGP’s tenure, such an action is governed by legal and constitutional frameworks designed to ensure due process, accountability, and the proper checks and balances.”
