This story is about the controversy surrounding the Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba’s continuous stay in office, even after he had clocked 60 years of age, and 35 years in active service, which contravenes the Public Service Rules, the Police Service Commission Rules, and the Police Act 2020.
Trouble started last year when the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dinggyadi, said that by the Provision of the Police Act 2020, the IGP was supposed to have a four-year single tenure, since he was appointed by the President on April 6, 2021.
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Although the IG turned 60 on March 1, 2023, four days after the presidential election, Dingyadi had again, defended the continued stay of the Police Chief in office, saying that “the issue of IG going out during this election period does not arise.”
Many have expected that IGP Alkali would have been relieved of his position as the number one law enforcement officer, but, there seem to be no plans by the Buhari administration to do so.
Ever since several Civil Society Organisations, CSOs and individuals have instituted suits against the government and Buhari to remove IGP Baba.
Earlier on February 20, 2023, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Alkali Baba Usman as the Inspector General of Police, IGP.
The suit instituted against President Muhammadu Buhari and four others by an Abuja activist, Micheal Sam Idoko, was dismissed by Justice John Omotoso.
In his judgment, Justice Omotoso invoked Section 7 (6) of the Police Act 2020, which put the tenure of the office of any Inspector General of Police at four years single term in office.
The news making the rounds this Saturday, May 27 that a Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State has declared the appointment and continued stay of the Inspector-General of Police (Alkali) as unlawful and unconstitutional was delivered on May 19, 2023.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
