The Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued a directive mandating the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have completed 35 years of service or have reached the age of 60.
This decision comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday. The Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation have, however, asserted that Egbetokun’s continued service is legally sound.
PSC Reverses 2017 Policy
In a statement released on Friday by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the commission announced a reversal of its 2017 policy. This earlier policy permitted officers to utilize their enlistment date rather than their initial appointment date for retirement calculations. The PSC has now deemed this inconsistent with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which stipulates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.
Rationale Behind the Decision
The PSC clarified that its reconsideration of the 2017 stance stemmed from a recognition of its contradiction with established public service regulations concerning service length and retirement. The commission determined that the previous policy violated the principle of service merger within the public service and directly conflicted with the aforementioned Public Service Rule.
Implementation and Attendance
The decision was reached during an extraordinary meeting presided over by the Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd). The meeting was attended by Justice Adamu Paul Galumje (retired Justice of the Supreme Court), DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd), and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani (Secretary to the Commission). The directive has been formally communicated to the Inspector General of Police for immediate implementation.
Conclusion
The PSC’s decisive action underscores its commitment to upholding established public service regulations. By reversing its 2017 policy and enforcing the mandatory retirement age and service length, the commission aims to ensure consistency and fairness within the Nigeria Police Force. The implications of this decision, particularly concerning the ongoing debate surrounding the IGP’s tenure, remain to be seen. The enforcement of this new policy will likely reshape the leadership structure within the Nigerian Police Force in the coming months.
