The Senate on Tuesday expeditiously considered and passed for Third Reading a bill to Amend the Police Act 2020, extending the tenure of the Inspector General-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun in office.
The upper chamber made a new insertion to the bill that makes it mandatory for the IGP to spend four years in office, notwithstanding if he has attained retirement age of 60 or has spent 35 years in service as enshrined in the Civil Service rules.
Egbetokun who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 is expected to retire from the Nigeria Police Force on September 4, 2024 when he clocks 60 years of age.
With this amendment, Egbetokun can now remain in office until 2027.
The Senate decision follows a letter from President Tinubu, which was read on the floor during Tuesday plenary to amend the Police Act 2020.
In his lead debate, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele explained that the proposed legislation seeks to retain a person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.
In his contribution, Senator Seriake Dickson said that the proposed amendment runs contrary to the constitution and asked that the bill should be stepped down for further consultations.
Despite reservations raised by some senators, the bill, passed its first, second and third reading at one sitting.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
