The National Assembly passed the Police Act Amendment Bill, which will allow the Inspector General of Police to serve until the end of their appointed term on Tuesday.
President Bola Tinubu sent the Bill to both the House of Representatives and the Senate earlier on Tuesday to amend the tenure rules for the IGP.
The Bill aims to ensure that the IGP’s term is protected, improve police operations, and strengthen the relationship between the police and the community.
The Bill quickly moved through its second and third readings and was approved by both the House and the Senate in separate sessions.
President Tinubu is expected to sign the Bill into law soon.
“The amendment will guarantee the tenure of the IGP and modernize policing methods,” said a spokesperson for the National Assembly.
Earlier this month, the police denied rumors that IGP Kayode Egbetokun attempted to influence the National Assembly to raise the retirement age for officers. Egbetokun, who was appointed as IGP in June 2023 for a four-year term, is scheduled to retire in September 2024, when he turns 60.
Under Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun would only have served for one year and three months by then, with two years and nine months remaining on his appointment.
The issue of IGP tenure has been contentious in the past. Egbetokun’s predecessor, Usman Baba, also faced similar controversies. Baba turned 60 in March 2023 and met the 35-year service requirement but remained in office until Egbetokun was appointed as his successor three months later.
