The Nigerian Police has announced that President Bola Tinubu has not extended the term of the suspected Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
He said the President had instead given the necessary assent to the law regulating the term of office, adding that the IGP’s appointment is for four years.
The statement read in part: “The attention of the Nigerian Police has been drawn to various misleading reports and misconceptions regarding the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police and we wish to stress that the approval given by President Bola Tinubu to the IGP is not fraudulent.” Proper application of the law regulating the tenure of the IGP is key, not the extension of the term.
“Contrary to misinformation circulating on social media and in the news, the letter of appointment was sent to the IGP immediately after his appointment was confirmed by the Police Commission.
“The letter, dated November 3, 2023, clearly states that the President has granted the IGP a four-year term of office in accordance with the provisions of Articles 215(a) and 28(c) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
The military spokesman said the IGP does not need to seek an extension to his term of office as he has yet to complete the number of years specified in his appointment letter.
“It is important to stress that the IGP does not need to seek an extension to his term of office as his appointment letter expressly provides for a four-year term from the date of appointment.
“The continued spread of false information is the handiwork of doomsayers and troublemakers who, for obvious economic reasons, are determined to spread unfounded stories against the office and character of the IGP,” he added.