The Police Service Commission (PSC) has clarified that it does not have the constitutional authority to determine the appointment or retirement of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
This clarification follows inquiries regarding the PSC’s recent directive for officers who have served over 35 years or reached 60 years of age to retire, in accordance with constitutional provisions. A statement from the PSC, signed by spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani, emphasized that the Commission’s powers do not extend to the IGP.
The statement explained that, under Nigeria’s constitution, the PSC is responsible for the appointment, promotion, dismissal, and discipline of police officers, except the IGP, who is appointed by the President with the advice of the Police Council.
The PSC also clarified that its decision on January 31, 2025, was related to the regularization of the appointment dates of cadet officers and had no bearing on the IGP. Additionally, the Commission revisited a previous decision from 2017 concerning the cadet appointment dates, concluding that it was inconsistent with public service rules and thus invalidated it.
The PSC reiterated that it operates within the bounds of the powers granted by the Constitution and is committed to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in its constitutional mandate to maintain law and order across the nation.
