We’ve no constitutional power to appoint, remove IGP — PSC

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Monday clarified that it does not have the constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Spokesperson of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani.

It also claimed that its recent decision directing all serving Police Officers who have served for 35 years or attained the age of 60 years to proceed on immediate retirement in line with the nation’s existing laws has nothing to do with IGP Olukayode Egbetokun.

It explained that the clarification became necessary has been inundated with calls, messages and reports on the status of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Dr Kayode Egbetokun in the aftermath of its decision on all serving Police Officers who have served for 35 years or attained the age of 60 years to proceed on immediate retirement as stipulated by law

The statement reads, “The Police Service Commission has been inundated with calls, messages and reports on the status of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun in the aftermath of the Commission’s decision, directing all serving Police Officers who have served for 35 years or attained the age of 60 years to proceed on immediate retirement in line with the nation’s existing laws.

“The Commission wishes to state that it does not have the Constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police.

“The Police Service Commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established under Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. By virtue of Paragraph 30, part 1 of the third schedule to the Constitution and clause 6 (1) of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, the Commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police).

“The law is clear on the mandate of the Commission and it does not extend to the Inspector General of Police who is an appointee of Mr. President with the advice of the Police Council.

“The Commission at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on Friday 31st January 2025, only considered and took a decision on the regularisation of the date of the first appointment of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants. This has nothing to do with the Inspector General of Police or his office.

“The Commission at the meeting passionately revisited its decision of 27th and 28th of September, 2017 and came to the conclusion that the early decision that Force Entrants should have their Cadet date of appointment in the Force against the date of enlistment, in its intent and purpose contradicted the principles of the merger of service in the Public Service and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of birth It, therefore, set aside the earlier decision.

“The Commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers which the Constitution has bestowed on it and is not interested in shopping for more powers that obviously are not backed by law.

“It notes that it has maintained a close and complementary working relationship with the Inspector General of Police in the overall interest of the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Commission will continue to support the Police Force to achieve its Constitutional mandate of providing security and maintaining law and order across the nation.”

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