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Stop parading yourself as IGP, court tells Usman Baba

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2023

IGP Usman Baba

Stop parading yourself as IGP, court tells Usman Baba

Justice Fatun Riman of a Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Akwa Ibom, has told the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, that he is an illegal occupant of the office of IGP he is presently holding.

The court declared his appointment and continued stay in office as unlawful and unconstitutional.

The court in its judgment in suit number FHC/AKW/CS/58/2023, filed by Okechukwu Nwafor, the Plaintiff, who described himself as a tax payer, said Baba’s continuous stay in office is against the clear provisions of the Police Act, 2020.

Justice Riman further held that only an officer within the listed rank, with four years in service, can be appointed as IGP, not one with less than four years in service.

The court also ordered Baba to stop parading himself as the Inspector-General of Police forthwith.

The court ordered the President to convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to appoint a new Inspector General of Police who will hold office for four years.

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The plaintiff in the suit dragged President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Usman Alkali Baba, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Nigeria Police Council before the court, seeking an order to stop the IGP from further occupying office as his tenure had expired.

The reliefs sought by the plaintiff included: “A declaration that by a communal reading of the provisions of sections 215(a) and 216(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Sections 7 (2) &(6) and 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, the appointment of the 2nd Defendant is UNLAWFUL and INVALID, the 2nd Defendant not being a person capable of fulfilling the mandatory requirement of tenure of office of Inspector General of Police and /or the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) having not been complied with.

“A declaration that the 2nd Defendant is not qualified to hold the office of the Inspector General of Police for the sole reason that doing so will lead to absurdity which will amount to a complete breach and total disregard for the clear and unambiguous provision of section 7 (6) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.” “A declaration that the 1st Defendant has no power whatsoever to extend the condition for the retirement of a Police officer as contained in section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020.” “An order restraining the 2nd Defendant from further parading himself as the Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or exercising any form of command or control over the Nigeria Police Force.

“An order mandating the 1st Defendant to immediately convene a meeting for members of the 4th Defendant for the purpose of appointing a new Inspector General of Police capable of holding the office for the fixed term of four years unhindered by section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 and also in line with the provisions of sections 7 of the Nigeria Police Act.

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“Such further or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”

In his judgement, after listening to Counsel in the matter, Justice Riman held, “It is important to observe that the Inspector-Genera!l of Police is a public servant and by virtue of the fact that he is a member of the staff of the Nigeria Police Force, an authority established from the Federation by Section 214 (1) of the Constitution and in subject of the Federal Public Rules 299 (PSR) thereof which provides for the compulsory retirement of all grades of public service officers at the age of 60 or 35 years of service, whichever comes first.

“In the instant case, the 2nd Defendant’s (IGP’s) birthday comes first. By the said Rule, the 2nd Defendant is obliged to step down on March 1st 2023. The PSR retirement age provision, is mirrored in section 18 (8) of the Police Act, on the word “Shall” is used in the provision, it is mandatory. See the case of ISHOLA V. AJIBOLA 1994 4 NWLR PT 352 para 506 by Rhodes Vivour JCA (as he then was) and also IBRAHIM & ANOR V. AKINRISOLA (2010) LEPLR 444 CA, Section 7 (6) at the Police Act provides for a four year term or tenure for the Inspector General of Police and the word “Shall” is also used in the said provision.

“I also observe that despite the prerogative power of the President, he is limited to the provisions of the Constitution. The Inspector General of Police retirement is statutory and constitutional issue and no other law of the land can change the ground norm.

“In my view, the requirement of locus is not necessary in constitutional cases as the application of the concept could impede the administration of justice. There is a liberalisation of the concept of locus standi when it involves constitutional matters. The Plaintiff is a Nigerian and taxpayer, as stated in his affidavit paragraph, and this has not been disputed. I find merit in this suit. Accordingly, judgment is entered in favour of the Plaintiff in accordance with the reliefs sought,” he stated.

Recall that Baba clocked 60 on March 1, 2023.

Buhari in January extended Baba’s tenure, knowing fully well that he is to clock 60 years on the said date, which is the compulsory year for retirement.

Stop parading yourself as IGP, court tells Usman Baba

(LEADERSHIP)

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S’West NURTW chairmen slam Baruwa over accusations against Gbajabiamila

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Trends Admin

S’West NURTW chairmen slam Baruwa over accusations against Gbajabiamila

Chairmen of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the South-West states have condemned Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, the embattled former president of the union over what they term wrong accusation.

Baruwa had in a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter to President Bola Tinubu accused the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, of backing Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya’s presidency union.

The South-West chairmen comprise Alhaji Mustafa Adekunle (Sego) of Lagos, Alhaji Mustapha Ismail Adewale (Yaro) of Ogun, Chief Joseph Falope (Olofooro) of Ekiti and Comrade Ademola Odudu of Ondo State.

The chairmen described Baruwa as “a drowning fellow who would cling to anything to survive” and accused him of fabricating falsehood to gain public sympathy.

They pointed out that Baruwa’s team had previously blamed President Bola Tinubu and former NURTW President, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, for their problems, only to now shift the blame to Gbajabiamila.

Putting the record straight, the chairmen emphasized that the problem in the union stemmed from Baruwa’s disregard for a court order.

“In 2023, some aggrieved members of the union in South West had instituted a legal action at a National Industrial Court in Lagos, challenging his competency/ legitimacy to contest for second term in office and the presiding judge in her wisdom ordered parties in the matter to maintain the status quo ante belum pending determination of the case challenging Baruwa’s eligibility for a second term.

“However, Baruwa out of desperation ignored the order and conducted a kangaroo delegate conference without recourse to the court’s position.”

The chairmen claimed that Baruwa ignored the popular saying that ‘he who comes to equity must come with clean hands’.

They expressed regrets that Baruwa, who they claimed should be in jail for contempt of court, was instead accusing innocent people of being the problems in the union.

They maintained that the people of the South West, who nominated Baruwa in 2019, rejected him again in 2023 after serving four years.

The chairmen stated that Baruwa destroyed the union during his first four years in office and could not be trusted with another four years by members of the union in the South West

“It should be noted that by the time he assumed office in 2019, all the six state councils in the South West were intact and under the umbrella of the union.

“But barely one year in office, Baruwa had through his incompetence destroyed the union and members of the union in the region suffered the consequences. In fact, we are yet to get Oyo and Osun states back into the NURTW family.”

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Two killed in Abuja Islamic school bomb explosion, proprietor arrested

Published

8 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Two killed in Abuja Islamic school bomb explosion, proprietor arrested

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the death of two persons in a bomb explosion at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School located in Kuchibuyi Village, Byazhin area.

The explosion which took place at about 11 O’clock, yesterday morning, was said to have left two other persons critically injured.

FCT Command Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said the incident was reported to the police by the Sarki of Kuchibuyi. The Police deployed a team of operatives, including the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Area Commander of Kubwa to the scene.

She said the owner of the school, Mallam Adamu Ashimu, has been taken into custody for questioning, after men operatives of the FCT Bomb Squad confirmed that the explosion was that of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), adding that remnants of the device have been recovered. She said investigation was ongoing and promised to make the outcome public in due course.

Adeh’s statement read: “The FCT Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident involving a suspected bomb explosion that occurred on January 6, 2025, at approximately 11am at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School, located in Kuchibuyi Village, Byazhin area of the FCT.

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“Upon receiving a distress call from the Sarki of Kuchibuyi, a team of police operatives, including the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Area Commander of Kubwa, swiftly mobilized to the scene. The area was immediately cordoned off to protect residents and facilitate a thorough investigation.

“During the rescue operation, victims were promptly evacuated and rushed to the Hospital for medical attention.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that three men from Katsina had visited the owner of the Islamic school, Mallam Adamu Ashimu. The three visitors are suspected of having brought the explosive device with them. Tragically, two of the men died in the explosion while tampering with the improvised explosive device (IED), on the school Veranda while the third man and a female trader sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment under police guard.

“The FCT Bomb Squad has confirmed that it was an IED explosion, as remnants of the device have been recovered.

“Mallam Adamu Ashimu, the owner of the school, has been taken into custody for questioning, and further findings will be communicated in due course.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu urges members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, behavior, or items that may resemble improvised explosive devices to the police…”

Two killed in Abuja Islamic school bomb explosion, proprietor arrested

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Two brothers reportedly kill, bury sibling in Anambra

Published

8 hours ago

January 7, 2025

Trends Admin

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam

Two brothers reportedly kill, bury sibling in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two brothers for allegedly killing and burying their sibling in a shallow grave in Oko community, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

During a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Awka on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, revealed that the suspects, Chidiebere Okeke and their cousin, Emebo Ogochukwu, are accused of causing the death of Chibuzor Okeke, their brother.

According to the police, Chibuzor was accused of burglary and theft by the suspects. The two reportedly caught him in the act and subjected him to severe beating, which resulted in his death.

In an attempt to conceal the crime, they allegedly buried him in a shallow grave within their compound.

He said, “We have suspects who murdered their brother and buried him in a shallow grave in a compound at Oko. The deceased, Chibuzor Okeke, was accused of burglary and stealing.

“His brother, Chidiebere Okeke and his cousin, Emebo Ogochukwu, caught him and beat him to a stupor. As a result, Chibuzor became unconscious and was rushed to the hospital where the doctor confirmed him dead.

“The two suspects, in order to cover up for the incident, dug a shallow grave in their compound and buried Chibuzor.”

Meanwhile, Itam also disclosed that the command rescued four children allegedly stolen from their parents in Bauchi State and sold to another person in Anambra State.

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“The operatives also arrested four suspects including an illegal foster mother. The suspects confessed to the crime and narrated the role that each of them played. One of the children has been identified and efforts are already emplaced to unite the child with his parents.

“The command wishes to use this opportunity to request that you assist in sharing the pictures of these innocent children for possible identification and unification with their parents,” he added.

Similarly, Itam revealed that on December 24, 2024, a joint security operation led by the Nigeria Police Force and comprising the Military, Civil Defence, and Anambra Vigilante operatives successfully dismantled a criminal camp located in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area.

According to him, the operation resulted in the destruction of several makeshift structures within the camp, the recovery of 19 unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices and inflicted significant injuries on fleeing suspects.

He added that the decisive action followed credible intelligence on the activities of the criminal gang in the area, coupled with information obtained during the interrogation of suspects arrested in ongoing police operations across the state.

The CP also said police operatives attached to the Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, acting on credible information, raided an identified black spot in Umunaga Village, Awka South LGA.

“During the operation, one Okechukwu Chinwuko (M) aged 27 years of Umunaga Village and Ezenwa Chinedu (M) 22 years of Umuneri Village were arrested. Other incriminating objects recovered include one pump action gun, four live cartridges, a cutlass, criminal charms, and substances suspected to be hard drugs.

“The operatives also rescued two female victims who the suspects have forcibly abused sexually,” he added.