POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION ORDERS IMMEDIATE RETIREMENT OF SENIOR OFFICERS OVER 60 OR WITH 35 PLUS YEARS IN SERVICE

In a landmark decision, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have surpassed 35 years of service or have reached the age of 60. The directive comes amidst ongoing debates surrounding the tenure of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who recently turned 60.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced that it is enforcing the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have either exceeded 35 years of service or are above the age of 60. This move follows a review of the Commission’s earlier policy, which permitted police officers to use their date of enlistment as the basis for determining their service period, rather than their date of appointment.

A statement issued on Friday by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, clarified that this recent decision overturns the previous stance taken during the Commission’s 24th plenary meeting in September 2017. At that time, the PSC had allowed police officers to count their time in the force from their enlistment date. However, after further review, the Commission concluded that this approach contradicted the Public Service Rule No. 020908, which stipulates retirement upon reaching either 35 years of service or 60 years of age.

“The Commission has now resolved that the earlier policy was inconsistent with the Public Service Rule,” Ani stated. “The decision to merge the date of enlistment with the date of appointment undermines the intent of these retirement rules and is in violation of established regulations.”

The directive, which has been formally communicated to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, calls for its immediate implementation. The PSC emphasized that it is committed to upholding the integrity of the retirement rules within the public service.

The PSC’s extraordinary meeting was presided over by its Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), with key officials, including Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Commissioner representing the Judiciary, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd.), Honourable Commissioner representing the Police, and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission, all in attendance.

This development follows ongoing discussions about the legality of Inspector General Egbetokun’s continued tenure, with both the Police and the Attorney General of the Federation asserting that his stay in office remains lawful despite his reaching the age of 60.

With this new directive, the PSC aims to bring greater clarity and consistency to retirement policies within the police force, reaffirming the importance of adherence to public service rules.