Human rights activist, Chidi Odinkalu, has lambasted Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police in Nigeria, saying he does not care about the institution he leads.
He made this statement in reference to Omoyele Sowore, a publisher and human rights activist, criticizing Egbetokun’s continued tenure as Inspector General of Police as unlawful.
“So here you have it…. This is why @YeleSowore called this IGP of @PoliceNG “illegal”. Facts are stubborn. Now the #PSC has retired all officer over 60. That will be enforced by an IGP who is over 60. Folks shd care about the institutions they lead,” Chidi Odinkalu noted.
Egbetokun, the current Inspector General of Police, is sixty years and four months old, having been born on September 4, 1964.
Newsmen previously reported that the Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the immediate retirement of senior police officers who are either over 60 years old or have completed 35 years of service. This decision was made during the PSC’s first extraordinary meeting on Friday.
The PSC approved the retirement of the senior officers at its first extraordinary meeting on Friday.
Ikechukwu Ani, PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, in a statement on Friday, said the “PSC rose from its first extraordinary meeting with the approval for the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age”.
The Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), presided over the extraordinary meeting, which also had in attendance Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Hon. Commissioner representing the Judiciary; DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), Hon. Commissioner representing the Police and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.
The Commission’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation, Ani said.
He said, “The Commission has passionately revisited their decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle 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 age.”
“Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” it added.
