The National Assembly passed the Police Act Amendment Bill on Tuesday, ensuring that the appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) can serve the full term specified in their appointment letter.
President Bola Tinubu had forwarded the Bill to both the House of Representatives and the Senate to amend the IGP’s tenure. The Bill aims to secure the IGP’s tenure, enhance police accountability, modernize policing methods, and improve police-community relations.
The Bill swiftly passed its second and third readings in both chambers on Tuesday. Lawmakers in the green and red chambers approved the Bill in separate sittings, and President Tinubu is expected to sign it into law soon.
Earlier in July, the police dismissed claims that IGP Kayode Egbetokun had lobbied the National Assembly to raise the retirement age for officers. Egbetokun, appointed as IGP in June 2023 for a four-year term, would be required to retire in September 2024 upon turning 60, as stipulated by Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020. This would mean he would serve only one year and three months of his term, leaving two years and nine months unserved.
This controversy over the IGP’s tenure is not new. Egbetokun’s predecessor, Usman Baba, also faced similar issues. Baba reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 and completed 35 years of service in March 2023 but remained in office until Tinubu appointed Egbetokun three months later.
On the same day, the Senate passed another bill ensuring that anyone appointed as the Inspector General of Police completes a four-year term as mandated by Section 7 of the Police Act 2020. The bill, introduced by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, passed its first, second, and third readings on the same day. Bamidele emphasized that the bill aims to enhance accountability, modernize policing methods, and foster a better relationship between the police and the community.
If President Tinubu assents to this bill, the current IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, might remain in office until 2027. However, the bill faced opposition from former Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West). Lawan argued that allowing IGPs to complete their tenure could lead to abuse of office, questioning if the amendment included any performance or conduct clauses to ensure accountability.
Dickson suggested that instead of guaranteeing the IGP’s tenure, the country should focus on reforming the policing system. He proposed that the bill be stepped down for further consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Despite these objections, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin stated that the bill is clear and unambiguous. Following a debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the bill to a vote, and it received overwhelming support from the senators.
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