AGF Justifies Egbetokun’s Continued Stay as IGP, Cites Police Act Amendment

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has provided a legal justification for the continued tenure of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, amid ongoing legal challenges regarding his stay in office.

In a statement issued on Thursday night, Fagbemi emphasized that Egbetokun’s appointment, which began on October 31, 2023, would have ordinarily come to an end when he reached the age of 60 years on September 4, 2024. However, the Police Act was amended prior to Egbetokun’s retirement age, allowing the IGP to complete a full four-year term, regardless of age. This change ensures that Egbetokun can remain in office until October 31, 2027, to fulfill his four-year tenure as stipulated in Section 7(6) of the Act.

Fagbemi’s statement confirmed that Egbetokun’s continued stay in office is entirely legal and consistent with the recent amendment to the Police Act, which allows an IGP to serve a four-year term from the date of appointment, regardless of age.

The statement was issued in response to a legal challenge brought by Abuja-based lawyer Mr. Maxwell Opara, who had approached the Federal High Court to contest the legality of Egbetokun’s extended stay in office. Following this legal action, Omoyele Sowore, the former presidential candidate and leader of the African Action Congress (AAC), was also arraigned for calling Egbetokun’s position “illegal.”

This clarification is significant in providing transparency to the public regarding the legal status of the IGP’s tenure.

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