An Abuja-based lawyer, Maxwell Okpara, on Wednesday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Mohammed Adamu from parading himself as the Inspector-General of Police.
The lawyer also asked the court to restrain Adamu from exercising any form of command over officers the Nigeria Police Force.
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Okpara, in the suit, joined President Muhammadu Buhari, IGP Adamu, the Attorney-General and the Nigerian Police Council.
He said Adamu’s tenure had elapsed on February 1, 2021 by the virtue of the Police Act.
He said by Sections 215, 216 and 7 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, Adamu, having spent 35 years in office, could not continue to function as IG after February 1, 2021.
He also asked the court to compel Buhari to appoint a new IGP.
Adamu was expected to leave office on Monday, was present at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport, Abuja, on Tuesday when President Muhammadu Buhari returned from his trip to Katsina.
Adamu had on Monday, met with senior police officers at the Louis Edet House, headquarters of the police in Abuja, and briefed them over the intricate succession crisis.
Adamu, who was officially due for retirement, has not hand over the reins of leadership as of the time of filing this report.
Amidst the confusion, the Presidency, on Monday, assured that there would not be a vacuum in the position.
A spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, who gave the assurance, however, did not say when a decision will be taken by the president.
Speaking earlier in the day on Channels Television’s morning show ‘Sunrise Daily’, Shehu said he was not aware of the planned announcement of a new IG.
According to him, no date was slated for the announcement, insisting that there would be no vacuum in the leadership of the force.
“The President returns to Abuja on Tuesday from his trip.
“He should be on his desk by Wednesday. I don’t know when he will do this.
“One thing I can assure you is that in places sensitive like that, there is no vacuum that will subsist, so the system will take care of itself.”
There are reports of confusion among officers and men who were anxious for the next line of action.
