Only the president has power to appoint or remove IGP, says PSC

The Police Service Commission, PSC, has said that it lacks the constitutional authority to appoint or remove the Inspector-General of Police. The commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, made this clarification in a statement on Monday, following widespread inquiries about the status of the current IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.  

Mr.  Ani explained that the PSC’s recent directive for police officers above 60 years old or with 35 years of service to retire does not apply to the IGP. He cited Section 6 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001, which gives the PSC authority over the appointment and promotion of officers, excluding the Inspector-General.  

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He emphasized that, according to the constitution, only the president has the power to appoint or remove the IGP, in consultation with the Nigerian Police Council.