Showdown at Force HQ: Senior Officers Face Disciplinary Committee Over Retirement

A new development has emerged in the ongoing controversy over the retirement of senior police officers, as Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has set up a disciplinary committee to address cases of officers who have allegedly refused to retire after reaching the mandatory service limits. The committee will convene at the Force Headquarters in Abuja from Tuesday to Thursday to review the conduct of affected officers, including an Assistant Inspector General, at least two Commissioners of Police, and a senior police lawyer.

The IGP has directed the summoned officers to appear in their full working dress and strictly adhere to the daily dress code. This move follows the Police Service Commission’s (PSC) recent directive mandating the immediate retirement of all officers who have exceeded 35 years of service or turned 60. The PSC, in a meeting earlier this month, reaffirmed its stance, emphasizing that its decision aligns with the Public Service Rule No 020908, which sets clear retirement guidelines.

Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations for the PSC, explained that the commission had reviewed a previous decision from 2017 regarding service years and concluded that the ruling was inconsistent with public service regulations. Consequently, at its extraordinary meeting on January 31, 2025, the PSC approved the immediate retirement of officers exceeding the statutory service limits and communicated the decision to the IGP for enforcement.

The PSC’s directive has sparked debate, especially in light of President Bola Tinubu’s recent extension of IGP Egbetokun’s tenure. Some critics have questioned the rationale behind retiring other senior officers while the IGP remains in office. However, Attorney General and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has clarified that the President acted within legal bounds.

Meanwhile, a legal battle over the retirement policy continues in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. Several police officers, including Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Egong Egwu Egong and Edwin Okoro, have challenged their retirement, arguing that the PSC improperly calculated their years of service based on their initial entry into the force rather than from when they began training at the Police Academy. Their counsel, Adeleke Agbola (SAN), has urged the court to maintain the status quo while determining whether the PSC’s actions violated a prior judgment.

The court has adjourned the case to March 18 for further hearings.