According to the PSC, it is the prerogative of the president, with the endorsement of the police council, to decide the appointment and tenure extension.
The Nigeria’s Police Service Commission (PSC) has said that it is only the President that has the power to decide the appointment and tenure extension of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
According to the PSC, it is the prerogative of the president, with the endorsement of the police council, to decide the appointment and tenure extension.
Recall that there have been criticisms, especially from legal experts, over the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali.
The IGP is bound by Rule 229 of the police service rules which provides for the compulsory retirement of all grades of public service officers at the age of 60 or 35 years of service — whichever comes first.
Alkali’s 60th birthday was on March 1, 2023 which should have seen him step down, and on May 28, 2023, a Federal High Court sitting in Anambra State, Southeast region ordered that Alkali should stop parading himself as Nigeria’s inspector-general of police.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Fatun Riman, the court held that Alkali’s continued stay in office after reaching his retirement age of 60, is illegal and unconstitutional.
While reacting, the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said “Arase was a former IG and as the current chairman of PSC is a member of the police council. He is aware of the channels of communication as it relates to his advice/contribution to the appointment of an IGP.
“He has never been in doubt as he has always said that it is the prerogative of Mr President to appoint an IG with the endorsement of the police council, chaired by the president.”