Chief Maxwell C. Opara, PhD, has claimed credit for the removal of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police, stating that his lawsuit challenging the unconstitutional extension of Egbetokun’s tenure prompted the President to take corrective action.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SADR.jpeg")
In a statement, Opara disclosed that he filed Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1342/2024 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s extension of Egbetokun’s tenure in a manner he described as inconsistent with the clear provisions of the Constitution and other extant laws governing tenure and retirement in the Nigeria Police Force.
Opara revealed that the civil action marked the third in a series of constitutional challenges he has initiated against successive unconstitutional extensions of tenure granted to Inspectors-General of Police by Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“In two previous instances, similar legal actions were filed to contest such unconstitutional extension of Mohammed Adamu who served between January 2019 and April 2021, where the then President of Nigeria, Late Gen. Muhammad Buhari, unconstitutionally extended his tenure. The institution of the suit prompted corrective executive action, leading to the removal of the affected IGP, Mohammed Adamu. Consequently, that suit was withdrawn upon the reversal of the unconstitutional acts following my legal confrontation,” Opara stated.
Opara also recalled his challenge against former IGP Usman Alkali Baba who served between April 2021 and June 2023.
“The then President also arrogantly, against the dictate of the ground norm, arrogated powers to himself to extend the tenure of the said IGP. Then again, I approached the court demanding that such constitutional rascality be discontinued and the President be called to order. Following my challenge to the Federal High Court, the unconstitutional IGP at that time was removed, making way for Kayode Egbetokun to be appointed the IGP,” he said.
Opara disclosed that the court had notified all parties that the matter was slated for definite hearing on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
“Having discovered that the Judge is ready to do the right thing, several interested persons on behalf of Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun began to approach me with tempted offers in order to persuade me to withdraw the matter, which I rejected,” Opara revealed.
“I advised them to tell President to critically examine the law surrounding his action and remove Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun as IGP and I will withdraw the matter.”
Opara claimed that his rejection of the offers and his insistence on the legal challenge led to Egbetokun’s removal.
“This development resulted in the removal of Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun as IGP yesterday 24th day of February, 2026 and the appointment of AIG Disu into the office as the new IGP,” he stated.
Opara announced that he will formally withdraw the suit on Thursday, February 26, 2026, now that the President has corrected himself and the impugned act has been reversed.
“Accordingly, and consistent with my established position that the objective of such litigation is not personal or political but solely to safeguard constitutional governance, I will formally withdraw the suit on Thursday 26th February, 2026 now that the President has corrected himself and the impugned act has been reversed,” he said.
Opara emphasised the constitutional principle underlying his legal actions.
“This development reinforces an enduring constitutional principle: no public office holder, regardless of status, is above the law. The tenure of public officials must be determined strictly in accordance with constitutional and statutory provisions, not executive discretion,” he stated.
“While my withdrawal of this matter will conclude this particular legal proceeding, it does not diminish the continuing obligation of all arms of government to uphold constitutional order, respect statutory limits, and preserve the integrity of democratic institutions.
“The Nigerian Constitution remains supreme, and vigilance in its defence is a duty owed to present and future generations,” Opara concluded.
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