The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised serious concerns over the ongoing institutional crisis between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
It noted that the crisis threatens the rule of law, undermines accountability, and erodes public trust in Nigeria’s governance and security institutions.
In a statement on Monday, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani reaffirmed the statutory authority of the PSC under Sections 6 and 7 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001.
He noted that the PSC is mandated to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over Nigeria Police Force personnel (excluding the Inspector General of Police).
This mandate is further reinforced by Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, granting the PSC oversight authority on police appointments and discipline.
The group said: “Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii) mandates the compulsory retirement of public officers, including senior police officers, who have served for 35 years or reached the age of 60.
“This regulation is designed to uphold the integrity and efficiency of security institutions by enabling leadership renewal and preventing tenure manipulation.”
CISLAC strongly condemned the alleged directive by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), instructing senior officers who have attained the mandatory retirement threshold to remain in service pending further directives.
Rafsanjani added: “This action constitutes a clear violation of the PSC’s statutory authority, undermines the principle of separation of powers, and fosters unnecessary institutional conflicts.”
He further criticised the amendment to the 2020 Police Act, which grants the IGP a fixed four-year tenure regardless of age or service years.
“This amendment contradicts existing public service regulations and was hastily passed without a clear constitutional or legal framework to resolve tenure disputes. It has led to arbitrary extensions of office tenure for selected officers.”