Why IGP Adamu Shouldn’t Stay In Office Beyond Today – Adegboruwa

A popular Nigerian lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), has revealed why the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu, should not stay in office beyond today.

Naija News reports that Adamu is expected to leave the office on Monday (today), having attained 30 years in service and the retirement age.

But in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has not decided the date for the announcement of a new police boss.

He added that the appointment of security chiefs is not done based on ethnicity but on their ability to secure lives and property in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, Adegboruwa said Adamu shouldn’t stay in office beyond 12 midnight of February 1, 2021, noting that it will be illegal if he continues to be the police boss tomorrow.

Adegboruwa said there will be several legal consequences if the police boss should still be in office since his tenure has not been extended or his replacement has been named.

He warned that there will be a constitutional crisis in the country if Adamu should stay in office beyond 12 midnight today.

Adegboruwa noted that Adamu’s retirement from the force also dis-entitles him to claim the rank of IGP.

He said: “By midnight of February 1, 2021, Mr. Adamu seizes to be a member of the Nigerian police force. Having attained the mandatory year of service within the force. So, if he is no longer a member of the NPF, he cannot be a leader of the force.

“It is going to be a constitutional crisis if he does not vacate office by the end of today. There will be a serious constitutional crisis if he remains in office without extension or replacement by 12 midnight.

“His retirement from the force also dis-entitles him to claim the rank of IGP. This is because you can only be the IGP if you are a member of the NPF. So, as long as there is no decision taken by the security council in respect of likely extension of tenure, I believe that as we speak now, the man should be on his way out of office.

“I don’t see how he can continue in office beyond one hour after midnight of today. If that happens, they will have several legal consequences. How does he preside over other legitimate functions when he is no longer in service. Whatever action he takes becomes illegal in the eye of the law.”

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