Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have categorically stated that, what President Bola Tinubu approved for the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun regarding his appointment is not an extension of tenure, but rather the proper application of the law governing the tenure of the office of the IGP as stipulated by the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
The swift clarification is in response to what Police authorities describe as various misleading reports and misinterpretations concerning the tenure of the IGP,, Kayode Egbetokun.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said, contrary to the misinformation being circulated on social media and in the news, the appointment letter in circulation was issued to the IGP shortly after his appointment was confirmed by the Police Council.
This letter, dated 3rd November 2023, clearly stated that the President had approved a four-year tenure for the IGP in accordance with the provisions of Section 215(a) and Section 28(c) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
ACP Adejobi added that it is important to emphasise that the IGP does not need to lobby for any tenure extension as his appointment letter explicitly grants him a four-year tenure from the date of his appointment.
He warned that the ongoing circulation of false information is clearly the handiwork of pessimists and mischief makers who are determined to spread baseless narratives against the office and the personality of the IGP for obvious reasons and pecuniary gains.
According to Adejobi, the IGP has since been issued with another letter in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended), which supersedes the earlier correspondence.
He stressed that the clarification is necessary to put an end to the speculations and falsehoods being spread. In clear terms, IGP’s tenure of office is not subject to unnecessary debate and should not be a source of perennial distraction to Policing system in Nigeria. The law is sacrosanct.
He urged the public to disregard the unfounded reports and to trust that the tenure of the IGP is in full compliance with the laws governing the Nigeria Police Force.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
