By Odita Sunday, Abuja
The Police high command has advised Nigerians to disregard the trending news that IGP Alkali Usman Baba had been sacked. His tenure reportedly expired since March this year.
Force spokesman, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, who debunked the report, clarified: “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to urge the general public to disregard the false news making the rounds on social media alleging the sack of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, by a Federal High Court in Awka.
“The said judgment is subject to appeal and the alleged news is thus false, unfounded and perceived to be the handiwork of mischief makers. IGP Alkali was appointed in a letter-number SGF.20/S.6/83, dated November 30, 2021 for a four-year tenure and his stay in office is within the purview of his appointment.
“It is imperative to note that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, dismissed a suit that sought to compel the IGP to vacate his office on March 1, 2023.
“The Federal High Court, in the judgment delivered by Justice J. K. Omotosho, held that going by the provision of Section 7 (6) of the Police Act, 2020, anyone appointed as the IGP has a statutorily recognised four-year tenure. It described the IGP’s four-year tenure as sacrosanct, stressing that his retirement as the IGP had nothing to do with age or years of service.
“It is pertinent to state that maintaining the four-year period for individuals appointed as IGP is being institutionalised by the provisions of the law, not on personal grounds to favour an individual, but for the betterment of the Nigeria Police Force.”
He added: “Consequently, members of the public are on this notice advised to ignore the false news making the rounds on social media. IGP Baba remains IGP and is duty-bound to execute responsibilities of the office in accordance with extant laws.
“Meanwhile, the force reaffirms the commitment of the IGP to improvement of policing services within the country, as well as entrenchment of professionalism and community-oriented policing.”
Source: The Guardian