Court dismisses suit seeking sack of IGP Alkali Baba Usman

On Tuesday, an Abuja Federal High Court dismissed a lawsuit that called for Alkali Baba Usman to be fired as the Inspector General of Police, or IGP.

Justice John Omotoso dismissed the lawsuit filed by Abuja activist Michael Sam Idoko against President Muhammadu Buhari and four other individuals.

In his ruling, Justice Omotoso cited Section 7(6) of the Police Act 2020, which established a four-year term limit for the position of Inspector General of Police.

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

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Besides, Justice Omotoso said that the plaintiff, who claimed to be a social crusader, had no jurisdiction in instituting the case under the guise of public interest.

He held that the plaintiff failed to establish having any peculiar or special interest over and above other Nigerians.
In particular, Justice Omotoso characterized the plaintiff as a meddlesome interloper and busybody, adding that he was not a serving police officer eligible for appointment and denied that he had ever applied for the position of IGP. He also denied that he had any legal authority to file the lawsuit.

Idoko filed the lawsuit to contest the validity of the IGP’s ongoing tenure in office through his attorney, Chief James Ogwu Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

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

Details to follow.