IGP’s Tenure; President Tinubu proposes ammendment of Nigerian Police Act
By Trek Africa Newspaper
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent an Executive Bill to the House of Representatives seeking to amend the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 to alter the appointment and tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The bill aims to enable the appointed IGP to remain in office until the end of the term specified in their letter of appointment, amending Section 18 of the Act.
The proposed amendment adds a new subsection (8A) to Section 18, stating: “Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”
The bill was transmitted to the House of Representatives by President Tinubu under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with the message “Transmission of Nigeria Police Act Amended Bill 2024” read by the House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary.
Tinubu’s letter read, “Function to Section 58 sub section 2 of the Federal Constitution of Nigeria as amended I forward here the above bill for consideration and passage by the House of Representatives.
“The Nigeria Police Amended bill 2024 seeks to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020 with respect to appointment and tenure of the Inspector General of Police and related matters.
“While hoping that the House of Representatives will consider this submission in its usual expeditious manner, please accept, RT Honorable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
The bill has successfully passed its second reading and is now with the Committee of the Whole.
Currently, the Nigeria Police Act mandates that any officer nominated for the position of Inspector General of Police must have a minimum of four years of service. However, this requirement was overlooked in the appointment of Kayode Egbetokun as the current IGP.
Egbetokun is reportedly approaching retirement in the coming months.
