Police Commission Enforces Retirement Rule: Officers Above 60 or 35 Years in Service to Go
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60.
The directive follows controversy surrounding the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who recently turned 60. Despite this, the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation have maintained that his continued stay in office is lawful.
In a statement on Friday, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, announced that the commission had reviewed its previous stance from the 24th plenary meeting in September 2017, which allowed police personnel to use their date of enlistment instead of their initial appointment date.
However, the commission has now reversed this decision, citing its inconsistency with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement upon reaching 35 years of service or the age of 60.
“The Police Service Commission rose from its first extraordinary meeting with the approval for the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” Ani stated.
He further explained that the commission had revisited its 2017 decision and concluded that it contradicted the principles of service merger in the public sector and violated Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii).
Ani added that the directive has been formally communicated to the Inspector General of Police for immediate implementation.
The extraordinary meeting was presided over by the Commission Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu. Also in attendance were retired Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, Commissioner representing the Judiciary; retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, Commissioner representing the Police; and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.
The PSC’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for enforcement.
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