I can remain in office till 2023 or 2024 - IGP Adamu

Following the lawsuit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Maxwell Opara, contesting the extension of the IGP's tenure by the president, Mohammed Adamu told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the law permits him to remain in office till 2023 or 2024.

This he said was in accordance with the new Nigeria Police Act issued in 2020, which gives him a four-year tenure from the time he was appointed.

The IGP in a notice of preliminary objection along with the accompanying documents filed by his lawyer Alex Izinyon, stated that his tenure never ended on February 1, 2021.

“Therefore based on our submission above, the combined effect of Sections 215 and 216 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, is that the 2nd defendant can validly function as the inspector general of police after midnight of February 1, 2021, in so far as he was a serving member of the Nigeria police force during the period of his appointment, as his tenure in office is specially regulated by Section 7(6) of the Nigeria Police Act which stipulates in unambiguous terms that upon his appointment he stays in office for four(4) years.

“Therefore, if the 2nd defendant’s tenure in office is calculated from January 15, 2019, when he was appointed into the office of the inspector-general of police, his tenure lapse in 2023.

“However, if his tenure in office is calculated from 2020 when the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 came into force. his tenure in office ends in 2024,” he said.

The lawyer for IGP Adamu countered Opara's accessions by stating that he (Opara) was “not directly in a position to know” if his tenure has ended.

“He is clearly not a staff member of the 2nd defendant (IGP) and the Nigeria Police Force.

“He failed woefully to state in his affidavit how he got the information that the 2nd defendant had retired from the Nigeria police. He also failed woefully to tender any document to support his claim,” he noted.

IGP Adamu also argued that the IGP office is ruled differently from other police officers in the force. and is answerable to the president.

“The office of the Inspector-General of Police is conferred with a special status, unique and distinct from other officers of the Nigeria Police force."

"The IGP upon appointment is only accountable to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Council and this fact we submit makes his office a quasi-political office with a tenure of four (4) years pursuant to Section 7(6) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.”

Mr Adamu also argued that the suit by Mr Opara should be dismissed as the plaintiff “lacks the locus standi to institute this sunt.”

He also contested that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit since its subject matter is related “to employment and condition of service of the 2nd defendant.” Adding that by virtue of section 254(c)(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), only the National Industrial Court has the jurisdiction to hear the suit.