Nigeria Police Force embroiled in controversy over IGP’s tenure extension, RULAAC

Stanley Ihedigbo

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has lamented that controversy surrounding Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure extension has sparked heated debates about legality and legitimacy.

According to the Executive Director, RULAAC, Com. Okechukwu Nwanguma, while Attorney General Prince Lateef Fagbemi argues that Egbetokun’s extension is legally justified, many Nigerians are questioning the legitimacy of the process.

“The amendment bill that facilitated Egbetokun’s tenure extension was initiated by President Bola Tinubu, whom Egbetokun served as chief security officer during his governorship of Lagos State. This has raised concerns about the neutrality of the amendment process, particularly given the Nigerian Senate’s swift passage of the bill without public hearings.

“Many senior police officers feel that their career trajectories have been compromised by Egbetokun’s extension. The public outcry regarding the process and extension is a vital concern for both Egbetokun and the government, especially if they value due process, transparency, and public trust.

“Even if the amendment withstands legal scrutiny, questions about its retroactive application remain. Should Egbetokun benefit from an amendment made while he was already in office? This challenges the principle of non-retroactivity in law and raises further legal and ethical considerations,” he explained.

He noted that Egbetokun’s public expressions of loyalty to Tinubu raise questions about the neutrality of the amendment process, especially when the Nigerian Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, exhibited a willingness to swiftly carry out the President’s directives.

‘The unprecedented speed at which the bill passed through all legislative readings—complete with no public hearing—further erodes its legitimacy. How can such a critical amendment to the Police Act be enacted without public consultation?

“The outcry regarding the amendment process and Egbetokun’s tenure extension is a vital concern for both him and the government, especially if they profess to value due process, transparency, and public trust. Even if the amendment withstands legal scrutiny, questions about its retroactive application remain. Should Egbetokun benefit from an amendment made while he was already in office? This challenges the principle of non-retroactivity in law and raises further legal and ethical considerations,” he stated.