Buhari Can Extend Tenure Of The Inspector-General Of Police – Court Declares

A federal high court sitting in Abuja, on Friday ruled that the President has the powers to extend the tenure of an Inspector-General of Police beyond the normal term in office.

The presiding judge, Ahmed Mohammed ruled that the tenure of a retiring Inspector General of Police (IGP) can be extended pending the appointment of a substantive successor.

The pronouncement was made after hearing the suit filed by a lawyer, Maxwell Okpara, who challenged the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the tenure of the immediate past IGP, Muhammed Abubakar Adamu for three months.

Justice Mohammed declared that since the Constitution and the Police Act empower the President to appoint an IGP, by implication, he could extend the tenure of a retiring IGP before concluding the required consultation with the Police Council and other processes required for the appointment of a substantive replacement.

The judge however observed that the Constitution and the Police Act are silent on the issue of whether or not the President could extend the tenure of a retired IGP.

More details later…