SaharaReporters had reported how the bill failed to gain support from stakeholders at a hearing held by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
The Nigeria Police Force says the proposed bill to extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other officers by five years is a standard legislative practice to review and update laws to align with current national realities by the lawmakers.
SaharaReporters had reported how the bill failed to gain support from stakeholders at a hearing held by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
The bill, aimed at amending the Nigeria Police Act 2020, seeks to increase the retirement age of police officers from 60 to 65 years and their tenure of service from 35 to 40 years.
Inside sources had told SaharaReporters that the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who is set to retire by September 2024, was behind the bill and had allocated a significant amount of funds to lobby for its passage.
However, stakeholders remain unconvinced, and the bill's future remains uncertain.
The proposed extension of the service year and retirement age for police officers met with widespread criticism from key stakeholders, including the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Ministry of Police Affairs, and the National Salaries and Wages Commission during the public hearing.
SaharaReporters also learnt that senior police officers were angered by the move, which have been described as selfish.
The Ministry of Police Affairs in its submission warned that implementing the extension would have unintended and far-reaching consequences, detrimental to the overall health and operations of the police force. Moreover, it would set a dangerous precedent for other agencies, such as the military and paramilitary organisations.
The ministry also argued that increasing the service years of police personnel would lead to stagnation, hindering progress and innovation within the force, while also negatively impacting motivation and adaptability.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the bill was introduced in the 8th Assembly and was aimed at enhancing the conditions of service for police officers, not for personal gain.
He added that the tenure of an Inspector General of Police is already prescribed as four years, and the President has the sole authority to remove an IGP before the completion of their tenure.
The police said in the statement that regarding the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020, “this 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”.
The statement said, “The misleading publications allege 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.
“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.
“It is regrettable 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.
“To understand the true motivations behind this initiative, one need only look at the Inspector-General of Police steadfast commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police Force.
“His 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.
“The Nigeria Police Force urges the public to exercise caution and discernment when consuming information, particularly from sources known for sensationalism and unverified claims. Such misinformation not only misleads but also detracts from constructive dialogue and efforts towards meaningful police reform.
“All well-meaning members of the public and strategic stakeholders are hereby enjoined to disregard these falsehoods and instead lend their support to political and legislative endeavors aimed at improving police services and ensuring the safety and well-being of all Nigerian citizens.”