The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has been deemed ineligible for the position he is currently holding by a Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State. The Police Act of 2020’s requirements were breached by Baba’s continued service in office, according to Justice Fatun Riman’s ruling.
Alkali-Baba is an unauthorised occupant in the IGP’s office, according to Riman, who asserted that the Police IG’s presence is “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Okechukwu Nwafor, a taxpayer, filed a lawsuit with case number FHC/AKW/CS/58/2023, which was decided by the court in its ruling.
The court determined that only an officer with the indicated rank and four years of service—not one with less than four years—can be appointed as the IG of Police, according to the ruling.
The Police chief’s tenure was extended by President Buhari in January, this year.
The verdict was delivered on Friday, May 19, 2023. However, a certified copy of the verdict was made public on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
The plaintiffs brought the case to prevent Alkali Baba from staying in office after Buhari’s tenure expiration. The case brought the President, Muhammadu Buhari, the IGP, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice before the court.
After hearing from the relevant Counsel, Justice Riman concluded his ruling by explaining-
“It is important to observe that the Inspector-General of Police is a public servant and by virtue of the fact that he is a member of the staff of the Nigeria Police Force, an authority established from the Federation by Section 214 (1) of the Constitution and in the subject of the Federal Public Rules 299 (PSR) thereof, which provides for the compulsory retirement of all grades of public service officers at the age of 60 or 35 years of service, whichever comes first.
“I also observe that despite the prerogative power of the President, he is limited to the provisions of the Constitution. The Inspector General of Police retirement is a statutory and constitutional issue. Furthermore, no other law of the land can change the ground norm.”
Alkali-Baba clocked 60 years on March 1, 2023, which is the compulsory year for his retirement.
cc: Punch Ng
