The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised issues over the continued institutional disaster between the Police Service Fee (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Drive (NPF), warning that it undermines the rule of legislation, weakens accountability, and erodes public belief in safety establishments.
CISLAC’s Govt Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), reaffirmed the PSC’s statutory authority underneath Sections 6 and seven of the Police Service Fee (Institution) Act, 2001. He acknowledged that the PSC is remitted to nominate, promote, dismiss, and self-discipline police personnel, excluding the Inspector General of Police (IGP). He additionally referenced Paragraph 30 of Half 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Structure, which grants the PSC oversight on police appointments and self-discipline.
Rafsanjani cited Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which mandates the retirement of public officers, together with senior cops, after 35 years of service or upon reaching the age of 60. He stated these rules guarantee management renewal and stop tenure manipulation.
CISLAC criticized an alleged directive from the Inspector General of Police instructing senior officers who’ve reached the retirement threshold to stay in service. “This directive is a transparent violation of the PSC’s authority, undermines the separation of powers, and fuels pointless conflicts,” Rafsanjani stated.
He additionally condemned the 2020 modification to the Police Act, which grants the IGP a set four-year tenure no matter age or service years. “This modification contradicts public service rules and was enacted and not using a clear authorized framework for resolving tenure disputes. It has led to arbitrary extensions of workplace tenure for chosen officers,” he stated.
Drawing historic parallels, he in contrast the scenario to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s unsuccessful third-term bid, which the Nationwide Meeting rejected. “Legislative processes ought to safeguard nationwide stability and the rule of legislation, somewhat than serve particular person pursuits,” he stated.
CISLAC referred to as on the IGP to respect the PSC’s mandate and make sure the rapid retirement of officers who’ve reached the statutory age or service restrict. It additionally urged the Nationwide Meeting to amend the Police Act to make clear tenure limits and stop conflicts with public service rules.
CISLAC requested President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to make sure adherence to current legal guidelines and stop the politicization of safety establishments. It additionally referred to as on the Judiciary to supply authorized readability on the IGP’s tenure underneath the amended Police Act.
“Democracy thrives on the rule of legislation, transparency, and accountability—rules that should stay non-negotiable,” Rafsanjani stated. He warned that permitting tenure manipulation and institutional conflicts to persist would weaken Nigeria’s safety businesses and promote impunity.
CISLAC urged civil society, the media, and the general public to stay vigilant towards any abuse of legislative and government energy that threatens institutional integrity.
“CISLAC stays dedicated to selling clear governance, upholding the rule of legislation, and safeguarding the independence of oversight establishments in Nigeria,” the assertion added.
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