IGP’s Tenure Extension: NBA Challenges Buhari’s Decision

The Nigerian Bar Association has instituted an action at the Federal High Court Abuja to challenge the purported elongation of the tenure of Mr Mohammed Abubakar Adamu as Inspector General of Police by President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was made known on Friday by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, stating that the action was in line ‘with the Motto of the NBA which is Promoting the Rule of Law and also accords with our aims and objectives which include the promotion and protection of the principles of the rule of law and ensuring the prevention of abuse of office.’

Akpata revealed that this action ‘seeks a judicial determination of the constitutionality of the purported extension of Mr Adamu’s tenure as IGP for three months after Mr Adamu had, on 1 Feb 2021, attained the mandatory maximum 35 years of service as a member of the Nigerian Police as stipulated under the Police Act 2020.’

Recall that President Buhari has extended the tenure of the Inspector General of Police disclosing that it will give the service time to institute a well-deserving person as the new IGP.

Groups have called for the reversal of the IGP’s tenure extension, giving the President 14 days to reverse it or face the consequences.