Quit Now If You’re Above 60 – PSC Orders Police Officers

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT – As fresh controversy rages within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the tenure elongation granted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun after clocking the statutory 60 years in service, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered all senior police officers who have either exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60 to proceed on retirement with immediate effect.

The Commission’s directive, delivered on Friday, 31st January 2025, comes on the heels of its declaration that the Force must save itself from abusing the law and running foul of existing Public Service Rule.

Interestingly, the order is to be enforced at a time the Force Headquarters and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) are stoutly defending IGP Egbetokun’s continued stay in office as “lawful and legal” .

But addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the PSC’s Spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the order became imperative because the Commission does not intend to accommodate and operate any law that is inconsistent with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii).

Ani said the PSC had since reviewed its earlier stand that any Nigerian joining the Force should use date of his enlistment instead of date of his appointment.

The Commission’s decision, taken during the 24th plenary meeting held in September 2017, had allowed Force entrants to use their date of enlistment instead of their initial appointment date.

Going forward however, the PSC spokesman said that initial decision has now been reversed, citing its inconsistency with Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement upon reaching 35 years in service or the age of 60.

According to him; “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.

“The Commission at its 24th plenary meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017 had approved that the force entrants should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment.

“The Commission has passionately revisited their decision and has concluded that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of the merger of service in the public service and it violates Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii), which provides for retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.”

The statement further said the directive had been formally communicated to the Inspector-General of Police for immediate action and implementation.

It stated thus; “The Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd) presided over the extraordinary meeting and had Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Hon Commissioner representing the Judiciary; DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, fdc, Honourable Commissioner representing the Police and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission in attendance.

“The Commission’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector-General of Police for implementation”.

Meanwhile, as controversy rages on, reports recently emerged indicating that Egbetokun had amended his official retirement date to October 31, 2027 on the Police senior officers’ staff list.

The document reveals that Egbetokun, identified with AP Number AP36613, updated his service profile on January 13, extending his tenure in the force.

A senior police source alleged that Egbetokun manipulated the system to extend his tenure after ‘bribing’ his way out of the National Assembly for the amendments bill to facilitate his elongation, raising concerns about the Force’s integrity that has continued to receive hard knocks from Nigerians

“According to civil service rules, an officer retires upon reaching either 60 years of age or 35 years of service, whichever comes first. By September 4, 2024, Egbetokun had already turned 60 and should have exited the service.

“Instead, he lobbied for an extension, initially requesting six months, which would have ended in March this year. However, before the extension elapsed, he used his position to alter his service records, extending his tenure to 2027.

“He was supposed to retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, which he attained in September last year,” the source volunteered according to SaharaReporters

Similarly, stakeholders have continued to express concerns over the service extension for the IGP, warning that implementing the arrangement would have unintended and far-reaching consequences, detrimental to the overall health and operations of the police force.

Among the stakeholders that have voiced their opposition to the development, insisting that it would set a dangerous precedent for other agencies, such as the military and paramilitary organisations, are the PSC, the Ministry of Police Affairs, and the National Salaries and Wages Commission.

Facts that also emerged during last year’s public hearing organised by the National Assembly (NASS) following widespread criticisms from key stakeholders, were that elongating the service years for police personnel would lead to stagnation, hinder progress and innovation within the Force, while also negatively impacting motivation and adaptability by officers.