BREAKING: Buhari extends tenure of IGP Adamu

Emmanuel AmudaFebruary 4, 2021

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President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) by three months.

Adamu was due to retire from the police last Monday having spent the maximum 35 years in service.

The extension to his tenure was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammad Dingyadi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mr Dingyadi said the extension was necessary to give room for the proper selection of a successor.

The Minister said, “Mr President has decided that the present IGP, Mohammed Adamu, will continue to serve as the IG for the next three months to allow for a robust and efficient process of appointing a new IGP.

“This is not unconnected to the desire of Mr President to not only have a smooth handover but to also ensure that the right officer is appointed into that position.

“Mr President is extending by three months to allow him to get into the process of allowing a new one.”

When reminded that the situation has caused a lacuna in the system, the Minister said, “There is no lacuna. Mr President can decide to extend his tenure for three months.”

This, however, would be contrary to the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which in Section 7 (6) fixes a single term of four years without an option of extension of tenure for the holder of the office of the Inspector-General of Police.

“A person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four years,” it read.

Section 18 (8) of the Act signed by the President on September 15, 2020 also read, “Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the police force for 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.”