THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF), on Monday, may 29, urged Nigerians to disregard news circulating on social media about the sack of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba.
Force spokesman, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said Alkali remains the IGP and would carry out his responsibilities as such.
According to him: “The Nigeria Police 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 (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, p 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.”
Adejobi stated that 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.
He said 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 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.
Adejobi explained that Omotosho 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.
The Police spokesman further said that 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 general betterment of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Consequently, members of the public are on this notice advised to ignore the false news making the rounds on social media.
“Baba remains the Inspector General of Police and is duty-bound to execute the responsibilities of the office in accordance with extant laws.”
