metro

Stop parading yourself as IGP, court tells Usman Baba

Published

3 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.

READ ALSO:

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.

READ ALSO:

“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)

metro

Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

Published

3 hours ago

September 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

Panic broke out in Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday morning after a gas explosion rocked the Liberty Junction area, following a vehicle crash into a roadside gas retail outlet.

The incident occurred at about 6:15 a.m., sending a powerful blast through the area and causing nearby buildings to shake, while thick smoke and flames rose from the affected facility.

The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and crashed into the gas outlet, triggering the explosion and subsequent fire.

The impact affected several businesses around the junction, with reports indicating that nine shops were damaged or destroyed by the ensuing fire.

A nearby police traffic post was also reportedly uprooted by the force of the explosion, while other structures and sections of the surrounding area were damaged.

The vehicle involved in the crash was badly burnt in the incident. Emergency responders, however, reportedly rescued the driver and a child from the wreckage.

The injured driver was taken to a medical facility for treatment, while emergency personnel worked to prevent the fire from spreading to other shops and properties in the densely populated area.

READ ALSO:

The explosion triggered panic among residents and commuters, with people reportedly rushing away from the scene as the fire continued to burn.

Emergency response agencies, including the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police Force, were deployed to the scene.

Firefighters battled the flames for hours before the situation was brought under control.

The incident also caused significant traffic disruption around Liberty Junction and the Kubwa axis, as motorists slowed down and emergency responders worked at the scene.

Security personnel subsequently moved people away from the immediate area and helped manage traffic while the damaged vehicle and other debris were cleared.

Initial reports did not indicate a confirmed death from the explosion, although the driver was reported to have sustained injuries.

Authorities had yet to provide a detailed official account explaining why the vehicle veered off the road or confirming the full extent of the damage and injuries as of the time of reporting.

The incident has again drawn attention to safety concerns surrounding gas outlets located close to busy roads, shops and residential areas, particularly in densely populated parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

Further assessment by relevant authorities is expected to establish the precise circumstances of the crash, the extent of the property damage and whether any safety breaches contributed to the incident.

Kubwa Explosion: Vehicle Crashes Into Gas Outlet, Damages Nine Shops

metro

Newlywed Arrested After Allegedly Excreting 72 Cocaine Wraps at Enugu Airport

Published

4 hours ago

September 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Lovely Chukwulobelu

Newlywed Arrested After Allegedly Excreting 72 Cocaine Wraps at Enugu Airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a 53-year-old Nigerian passenger at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, after he allegedly ingested 72 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.253 kilogrammes.

The suspect, identified as Lovely Chukwulobelu, was arrested on December 3, 2021, during the outward screening of passengers travelling on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Enugu to Rome, Italy, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to the NDLEA, the suspect was detected during the airport’s screening process after operatives suspected that he had ingested drug pellets.

He was subsequently placed under observation, during which the 72 wraps of cocaine were recovered after he excreted them.

The total weight of the recovered cocaine was put at 1.253kg, according to the anti-narcotics agency.

During questioning, Charley allegedly told NDLEA officials that he was expected to receive €4,000 after successfully delivering the drugs in Italy.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had been living in Italy for more than 20 years and attributed his alleged involvement in the drug trade to the downturn in his business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ ALSO:

The arrest formed part of a wider series of drug-trafficking interceptions reported by the NDLEA at Nigerian airports and other locations at the time.

At the same period, the agency reported the arrest of another Nigerian passenger, Uzoh Ndubuisi Johnson, who allegedly arrived at the Enugu airport from Brazil through Addis Ababa with 6.7kg of cocaine concealed in clothes.

The NDLEA also reported the arrest of John Kadja, a 25-year-old passenger of Ghanaian and Nigerian parentage, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with 2kg of methamphetamine allegedly concealed in the false bottom of his luggage.

The agency said the arrests demonstrated the methods being used by suspected drug traffickers to move illicit substances through Nigeria’s international airports.

The then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the interceptions and urged them to remain vigilant in efforts to prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs.

The agency has continued to deploy passenger profiling, luggage searches, body scanning and other screening measures at international airports to detect attempts to move cocaine and other illicit drugs across Nigeria’s borders.

The Enugu case also illustrates one of the methods used by suspected traffickers, in which drug pellets are allegedly swallowed before a passenger boards a flight and later recovered under controlled observation.

The allegation against Charley was made by the NDLEA, and the reported arrest and drug recovery do not by themselves constitute a conviction. Any criminal liability would ultimately be determined through the appropriate judicial process.

Newlywed Arrested After Allegedly Excreting 72 Cocaine Wraps at Enugu Airport

metro

Bauchi Police Arrest Four Over Alleged Gun-Making, Rape

Published

4 hours ago

September 27, 2026

Trends Admin

Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu

Bauchi Police Arrest Four Over Alleged Gun-Making, Rape

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in two separate cases involving alleged illegal firearm possession and fabrication and the alleged rape of a 50-year-old woman in the state.

The arrests involved three suspects in Misau Local Government Area, who were allegedly linked to the fabrication and possession of locally made firearms, and a 26-year-old man arrested in Gamawa Local Government Area over an alleged sexual offence.

In the firearm case, police operatives attached to the Misau Division reportedly intercepted Abubakar Ahmad, 30, also known as Tino, on September 25, 2026, while on duty at Chief Magistrate Court 1, Misau.

According to the police, Ahmad was found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol loaded with a live cartridge and was allegedly attempting to hand the weapon over to Tijjani Yakubu, 35, of the same address.

Yakubu was already being held at a correctional centre over allegations of criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property, police said.

During preliminary investigation, Yakubu allegedly admitted ownership of the firearm and told investigators that he had given it to Ahmad for safekeeping.

READ ALSO:

He also allegedly identified Bappah Kawu, 48, a welder from Tashar Masu in Misau, as the person who supplied the weapon.

Police subsequently arrested Kawu, who allegedly admitted that he fabricated and sold the pistol to Yakubu for ₦30,000.

A search of Kawu’s workshop reportedly led to the recovery of two locally made Dane guns and tools allegedly used for firearm fabrication, including a hacksaw, files and long iron pipes.

The three suspects were taken into custody, while the firearm case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for further investigation.

In a separate incident in Gamawa Local Government Area, police arrested Lukman Alhaji Nasiru, 26, of Garin Malam Village over the alleged rape of a 50-year-old woman.

Police said the alleged incident occurred on September 22, 2026, at about 12:15 p.m., when Nasiru allegedly lured the woman to an isolated area on the outskirts of Garin Malam.

The police alleged that the suspect had unlawful sexual intercourse with the woman.

The woman’s 40-year-old younger brother, who resides in Gauya Village in Jakusko Local Government Area of Yobe State, reportedly lodged a complaint at the Gamawa Divisional Police Headquarters on September 25.

Following the complaint, police arrested Nasiru and took both the suspect and the woman to General Hospital, Gamawa, for medical examination as investigations continued.

Police did not disclose further details of the medical examination.

The Bauchi Police Command said the separate investigations were ongoing, while Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu reiterated the command’s position against illegal firearms and sexual offences.

The commissioner also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to the police to assist investigations and prevent criminal activities.

The latest arrests form part of the command’s broader operations against crime in Bauchi State. The command had earlier reported the arrest of 29 suspects in September over various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, sexual assault, drug-related offences, vandalism and theft.

The allegations against the four suspects have not been established in court, and investigations into the cases are continuing.