The National Assembly yesterday passed the Police Act Amendment Bill which pegs the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police at four years.
Hitherto, the IG is expected to retire on attaining the public service retirement age which is 60.
With the passage of this Executive Bill, an IG who has not completed four years in office can stay on after the age of 60.
The amendment created a new subsection (8A) – which states: “Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act”.
The Bill was passed for first, second and third reading yesterday in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
After the first reading, Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, in the lead debate for the second reading, explained that the amendment seeks to stipulate that the IG’s four-year tenure should be sacrosanct irrespective of whether the occupant of the office has attained the mandatory retirement age.
He said: “This Act seeks to enable a person appointed to the office of IGP to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.
“The Bill aims to revolutionise police operation by enhancing accountability, modernising policing methods and fostering a more harmonious relationship between the police and the community.
“Accordingly, I hereby urge you all to support the quick passage”.
Senator Seriake Dickson objected to the Bill, saying the amendment of the Police Act should have been done in collaboration with the Nigeria Police hierarchy.
