A human rights lawyer, Hamza Nuhu Dantani Esq, has faulted the National Assembly’s passage of the Police Act, which paved the way for the tenure elongation of Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

The human rights activist insisted that the IGP’s tenure extension, following President Bola Tinubu’s request for Egbetokun to remain in office until the end of 2027, may have far-reaching consequences on national security.

In a petition issued on Friday, Barrister Dantani expressed concern over the action of the National Assembly, which he said has disrupted the leadership system in the police force, undermined the constitution, and eroded public trust in governance.

Furthermore, Dantani lamented that the President’s action to extend Egbetokun’s stay in office amounted to a glaring example of nepotism and a disservice to the morale and career progression of officers.

Citing the provisions of the laws guiding the appointment and tenure of the IGP in Nigeria, Barrister Dantani insisted that the extension of Egbetokun’s service may tamper with national unity.

In particular, the human rights activist referenced sections 7 and 18 (8) of the Police Act 2020, which stipulates the age of retirement, reminding the Federal lawmakers that they contravened the provisions of the act with IGP Egbetokun’s extension.

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The controversial amendment of the Police Act by the National Assembly in favour of an individual violates the sanctity of the rule of law, particularly equality before the law, Barrister Dantani submitted.

“No officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier. Mr Egbetokun was born on September 4, 1964, and by arithmetic computation, he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in September 2024.

“He is also not covered by the provision of (iii) above, as he is neither a judicial officer nor an academician. The implication of the foregoing is that, by operation of law, IGP Egbetokun, who had reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, should have retired from the

Nigerian Police Force and consequently from his position as the IGP by effluxion of time,” Dantani worried.

He lamented how the National Assembly reduced the power of the presidency despite the separation of powers to amend the Police Act for the sake of Egbetokun’s extension in office.

He said, “Specifically, on July 23, 2024, the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, hastily passed the Bill to amend the Police Act 2020 in record time.

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“Earlier that day, the House of Representatives had approved the Police Act Amendment Bill to allow the office of the IGP occupant to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in his or her appointment letter.

“On the same day, the Senate also took the same action following an appeal by the presidency that Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP, be allowed to continue serving his four-year term in office even though he had attained the compulsory retirement age of 60 on September 4, 2024.

“The Executive Bill sought to amend Section 18 of the Police Act 2020 to allow an officer appointed as the IGP to serve beyond the current limit of 35 years in service or the age of 60. The Bill proposed to create a new section 18(8A) to enable the IGP to stay longer than 35 years in service and 60 years of age, whichever comes first.”

The human rights activist posited that the decision to extend the IGP’s tenure has effectively blocked the advancement of other senior officers next in line for leadership roles while stagnating junior officers.

He called on the President to prioritize merit and competence over personal affiliations in appointments and promotions in the police force, adding that institutions thrive when individuals are selected based on their qualifications and capabilities, not their connections.