The Nigerian Bar Association has described as unconstitutional, the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to retain the retired Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in office for another three months.
In a Suit instituted by the NBA- Public Interest Litigation Committee (NBA-PILC),on behalf of the NBA, on Thursday, 11 February 2021 with Suit No. FHC/L/CS/214/2021, the NBA seeks judicial determination of the constitutionality of the President’s extension of Mr Adamu’s tenure as the Inspector-General of Police for three months after Mr Adamu had, on 1 February 2021, attained thirty-five years of service as a member of the Nigeria Police Force.
The NBA’s position in the Suit is that Mr Adamu ceased to be a member of the Nigeria Police Force when he attained the milestone of thirty-five years of service. Therefore, the President’s extension of Mr Adamu’s tenure by three months, in the NBA’s respectful view, is unconstitutional.
The statement reads;
Dear Colleagues,
Recall that the tenure of Mr. Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police which expired on the 1st day of February 2021 was further extended by 3 months.
The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association have looked at the said tenure extension, and is of the considered opinion that the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, does not have the powers to extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police and that such extension is unconstitutional.
Consequently, the Nigerian Bar Association through the NBA Public Interest Litigation Committee (NBA-PILC), has instituted a suit at the Federal High Court challenging the said tenure elongation.
Please find attached the NBA President’s Statement on the issue, and a copy of the originating processes challenging the said extension.
Dr. Rapulu Nduka
Publicity Secretary
Nigerian Bar Association