The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a suit to challenge the tenure elongation of Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police (IGP).

A statement released by NBA Olumide Akpata condemned the tenure extension of Mr. Adamu. 

“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 said. 

The Public Interest Litigation Committee of the NBA, on Thursday, instituted an action at the Federal High Court in Lagos, demanding that Mr. Adamu vacates the office. The NBA seeks to set aside the extension as well as judicial clarification as to the constitutionality of the President’s decision. 

The argument is that the tenure extension is unconstitutional and a violation of the law provided in S. 215(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution.

The suit, FHC/L/CS/214/2021, also seeks a perpetual injunction restraining the Buhari-led administration from breaching the same section of the constitution by extending the tenure of Mr. Adamu as the Inspector General of Police. 

In February,  President Muhammadu Buhari extended the stay of the IGP, after Mr. Adamu had reached the legally allowed time of 35 years in service and was expected to be replaced. 

Peoples Gazette reported that the tenure was extended by three months. The announcement was made by the Police Affairs Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.