COURT DISMISSES ALKALI BABA USMAN’S IGP REMOVAL PETITION

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit that asked for Alkali Baba Usman to be fired as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

In his ruling, Judge James Omotoso cited Section 7(6) of the Police Act 2020, which limits the duration of office for any Inspector General of Police to four years, and dismissed the lawsuit brought by activist Micheal Sam Idoko of Abuja against President Muhammadu Buhari and four other individuals.

Alkali Baba Usman’s resignation from the Nigerian Police Force, according to the judge, has nothing to do with his appointment because the four-year term is sacred.

In addition, Justice Omotoso ruled that the plaintiff, who claimed to be a social crusader, lacked jurisdiction to file the lawsuit in the name of the public interest and that the plaintiff had failed to prove that he had any unique or special interests above and beyond those of other Nigerians.

The Judge specifically referred to the plaintiff as a busy body and meddlesome interloper, adding that he was not a serving police officer who was qualified for appointment and that he had never applied for the position of IGP and been rejected. The Judge also stated that the plaintiff had no legal basis for filing the lawsuit.

Idoko filed the lawsuit to contest the validity of the IGP’s continued tenure in office through the assistance of his attorney, Chief James Ogwu Onoja (SAN).

The FHC/ CS/ 31/2023 lawsuit was subsequently dismissed without assessing any fees to the plaintiff.

Details are later