PSC Says It Has No Constitutional Powers Over The IGP, Never Directed His Retirement
The Police Service Commission, PSC, has said that it has no constitutional powers over the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and has therefore, never asked him to retire after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or serving for 35 years.
The PSC made the clarifications following calls and messages in the aftermath of the Commission's decision, directing all serving police officers who have served for 35 years or attained the age of 60 years to proceed on immediate retirement in line with the nation's existing laws.
It said it had been inaundated with calls, messages and reports on the status of the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, following its request on such officers, adding however, that the PSC cannot exercise any authority on the IGP, as "it does not have the Constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police."
In a statement signed by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the commission said, "The PSC is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established under Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution... as amended.
"By virtue of Paragraph 30, part 1 of the third schedule to the Constitution and clause 6 (1) of the Police Service Commission (Establisment) Act, 2001, the Commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police).
"The law is clear on the mandate of the Commission and it does not extend to the IGP who is an appointee of Mr. President with the advice of the Police Council.
"The Commission at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on Friday 31st January 2025, only considered and took decision on the regularisation of date of First appointment of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants. This has nothing to do with the IGP or his office.
"The Commission at the Meeting passionately revisited its decision of September 27 and 28, 2017 and came to the conclusion that the early decision that Force Entrants should have their Cadet date of appointment in the Force against the date of enlistment, in its intent and purpose contradicted the principles of merger of service in the Public Service "and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of birth" It therefore set aside the earlier decision.
"The Commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers which the Constitution has bestowed on it and is not interested in shopping for more powers that obviously are not backed by law.
"It notes that it has maintained a close and complementary working relationship with the IGP in the overall interest of the Nigeria Police Force," adding that, "The Commission will continue to support the Police Force to achieve its Constitutional mandate of providing security and maintaining law and order across the nation."
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