Femi Ashekun/
Lagos-based attorney, Joseph Seun Onele, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the continued tenure of Kayode Egbetokun as Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The suit, numbered FHC/L/CS/254/2025, lists Egbetokun as the fifth respondent among others, including the President of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Police Council, the Police Service Commission, and the National Assembly.
Onele contends that Egbetokun’s extended tenure violates specific provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act 2020, which delineate the retirement age and service duration for the IGP position.
He asserts that allowing Egbetokun to remain in office beyond the stipulated terms undermines the rule of law and sets a concerning precedent for the nation’s legal and institutional frameworks.
The plaintiff seeks several interlocutory injunctions, notably to prevent Egbetokun from presenting himself as the legitimate IGP and to restrain government bodies from recognising or engaging with him in that capacity.
Onele emphasises that his legal action aims to uphold constitutional integrity and ensure that public service appointments adhere strictly to established legal provisions.
This legal action adds to the ongoing debate surrounding the IGP’s tenure elongation.
Critics, including the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), have expressed concerns that such extensions could erode efficiency, breed division within the force, and diminish public confidence.
In response, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, has defended the extension, citing amendments to the Police Act that allow the IGP to serve a four-year term irrespective of age or years of service.
The court is expected to deliberate on the matter in the coming weeks, potentially setting a precedent for future appointments within the Nigeria Police Force.
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