Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has denied ordering or giving permission to a suit filed by the police challenging the constitutionality of the judicial panels set up by various state governments to investigate police brutality.
He has consequently directed immediate investigations into the suit reportedly challenging the legality of the States’ Judicial Panel of Inquiry, investigating allegations by Nigerians against officers of the defunct SARS.
The force which made these known in a statement by its spokesperson, Frank Mba, on Thursday evening, said investigations into the origin of the suit had long commenced.
The development is coming less than 24 hours after the NPF filed a suit with file number FHC/ABJ/CS/1492/2020 through their lawyer, Mr. O. M. Atoyebi at the Federal High Court in Abuja, saying that the state governments lacked the power to set up panels to investigate activities of the police force.
A copy of the statement obtained by The Heritage Times Reads:
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, NPM, mni has directed immediate investigations into a suit purportedly challenging the legality of the States’ Judicial Panel of Inquiry, investigating allegations by citizens against officers of the defunct SARS.
“The IGP, who gave the order on the heels of trending reports in the media, today, expressed the disapproval of the Force Management Team on the matter and ordered investigations into the alleged role of the Force Legal Section including its Head.
“Meanwhile, the Force Legal Officer has been queried and may face further sanctions if found guilty of dereliction of duty.
“The IGP reiterates the commitment of the Force to fulfilling all its obligations with regards to the disbandment of the defunct SARS, the ongoing Judicial Panels and all other police reforms.”
