The Nigeria Police has disputed a trending report purporting the sack of the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, by a Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State. The Police, therefore, enjoined the general public to disregard the fake news trending on social media.
Meanwhile, IGP Alkali Baba arrived the Eagle Square with other service chiefs who include the Chief of Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, and thereafter, The Chief of General Staff.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had in a statement indicated that the said judgment upon which the report was derived, is subject to appeal, saying that the report of the sack of the IGP is false, unfounded, and perceived to be the handiwork of mischief makers.
The FPRO stated that “IGP Alkali was appointed in a letter-number SGF.20/S.6/83 dated 30th November 2021 for a 4-year tenure and his stay in office is within the purview of his appointment.”
Muyiwa arfued that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, dismissed a suit that sought to compel the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, to vacate his office on March 1, 2023.
He maintained that presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Justice J. K. Omotosho, in his judgement, declared that “going by the provision of Section 7 (6) of the Police Act, 2020, anyone appointed as the IGP has a statutorily recognized four-year tenure”. He said that the presiding Judge asserted that the four-year tenure of the IGP is sacrosanct, noting that Baba’s retirement as the IGP had nothing to do with age or years of service.
The Police authorities maintained that the four years for individual’s appointed as IGP is being institutionalized by the provisions of the law, not on personal grounds to favour an individual, but for the general betterment of the Nigeria Police Force.
Muyiwa, therefore declared: “consequently, members of the public are on this notice advised to ignore the false news making the rounds on social media.
“IGP Usman Alkali Baba remains the Inspector-General of Police and is duty-bound to execute the responsibilities of the office in accordance with extant laws.”