President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, for a legal opinion on the possible extension of the inspector-general of police’s tenure, a senior presidency official has disclosed the action that will contradict the new police Act of 2020.
Recalled President Muhammadu Buhari signed a bill that limits the tenure of an inspector-general of police (IGP) to only four years.
The new Nigeria Police Act, 2020, repeals the Police Act, 2004,
However, he has continued to report to office, further fuelling speculation that Buhari is planning to extend his tenure so that he could remain in office till after the elections.
The State house source could not confirm if Malami has written the legal advice but he is not known to go against the wish of the president.
Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, was one of the top government officials who welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari back to Abuja on Tuesday.
There has been anxiety over Adamu’s continued presence in office after he attained 35 years in service on Monday.
On Tuesday, reports made the rounds that he had handed over to the most senior Deputy Inspector-General of Police.
But a competent police source who does not want his name in print said there was no truth in the reports.
Like on Monday, however, the IGP was said to have still reported for work at the Loius Edet House headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, OBSERVERS TIMES report.
After attending to his official duties, Adamu joined other top government officials at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to welcome the President.
Buhari had last Friday left Abuja for his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, for what the Presidency described as a four-day official visit.
On Saturday, he revalidated his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Daura.
He was joined by 10 state governors elected on the platform of the party; the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; and a former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani.
Apart from Adamu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, were among government officials who received the President at the airport.
The police source said, “There is no truth in the reports that IGP Adamu has handed over to anybody.
“He worked throughout today (Tuesday) in his office and proceeded to the airport to receive Mr President in the evening.
“He accompanied the President to the Presidential Villa, and since it was evening already, he closed for the day from there. When then did he hand over?
“If he had handed over, it just makes sense that the person he handed over to would have been the one to receive the President at the airport.”
Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, did not take his call on Tuesday evening when our correspondent made attempts to get his reaction.
The Presidency too has yet to issue a statement on Adamu’s fate.
it was argued that extending Adamu’s tenure will violate the Police Act 2020, which prescribes a non-renewable single term of four years for the incumbent IG.
A presidency source said Adamu would, however, have to remain in office until after a farewell meeting with the president, which is not likely to hold so soon.
He explained that it is not in the character of Buhari to let go such a senior appointee without inviting him to a farewell meeting during which he will formally thank him for a job well done and inform him of the choice of his successor.