Senate Passes Bill To Approve 4-Year Term For Inspector General of Police, Awaits Presidential Approval

The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that allowed anyone appointed as Inspector General of Police to serve a full four-year term, as required by Section 7 of the Police Act 2020.

If President Bola Tinubu approves the bill, the current Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, could stay in his position until 2027. The bill was introduced by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and it quickly moved through all stages of approval.

Bamidele explained that the bill aimed to improve police operations by making them more accountable, modernizing their methods and building a better relationship with the community.

The bill also seeks to raise the retirement age of officers. If passed, Egbetokun, who was supposed to retire in September 2024 when he turned 60, would complete his tenure till 2027. Egbetokun has been appointed as IGP after replacing Usman Alkali Baba in this position last year in June.

However, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) disagreed with the bill, with Lawan saying that allowing Inspectors General of Police to serve their full term could lead to abuse of power.

"I just need a little explanation on whether there is permission for the amendment we are trying to make," Lawan said, Premium Times reported. "Is there any clause anywhere that subjects the stay in office by the IGP to good conduct, to performance?"

"Because Mr President, distinguished colleagues until people are given appointment performance satisfactorily when we strictly give them the opportunity to serve as long as the tenure in the letter indicates. I think that will be abused because somebody will feel he will not be removed regardless."

Dickson, on the other hand, said the country needs to reform the Nigerian policing system rather than providing a tenure for the IGP.

He stressed that Nigeria "have not been able to formulate sects and steady rules in strengthening the police as a service and protecting the office of the Inspector General of Police," and added, "the police is a service that works for the people to protect the law and people's properties."

He proposed that the bill be put on hold to allow for more discussions with the police and other relevant institutions.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the bill was straightforward and clear. After the discussion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio held a vote and the senators strongly supported the bill.