Extension Of IGP Adamu’s Tenure: Court Fixes Feb. 16 For Hearing

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has scheduled hearing for February 16, 2021 in the suit filed by a Right Activist, Maxwell Opara, challenging the extension of Adamu Mohammed Retired’s tenure as Inspector General of Police

Adamu is still performing his official duties despite attaining the mandatory 35 years in service on Monday, February 1. The IGP, who joined the service on February 1, 1986, attained the mandatory retirement age of 35 years in service.

In an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/106/2021 Opara, an Abuja based legal practitioner, is seeking an order of court restraining Adamu from exercising any form of command or control over the Nigeria Police Force.

He is equally seeking an order of court mandating President Buhari and the Police Council to immediately appoint a new Inspector-General of Police in line with the provisions of section 7, of the Nigeria Police Act.

Other reliefs sought by the plaintiff are a ‘declaration that by the combined effect of the provisions of section 215 and 216 of the 1999 constitution and section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the 2nd defendant (Adamu) cannot lawfully continue to function as the Inspector-General of Police not being a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force as from midnight of February 1, 2021, and therefore all actions taking thereafter are illegal, null and void and constitute a breach of the constitution and the Police Act.

‘A declaration that the failure of the 1st (Buhari) and the 4th (Police Council) defendants to appoint an Inspector-General of Police as at February 1, 2021, constitutes an abdication of their duties under section 215 of the 1999 constitution and section 7 of the Police Act.’