The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ordered an investigation into a suit seeking to stop the various states’ judicial panels of inquiry probing allegations of abuses by the police.
The suit was reportedly filed on Thursday before the Federal High Court, Abuja, by Police counsel, Mr. O. M. Atoyebi (SAN).
Over 104 persons, among them the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, the Attorneys-General of the 36 states, and chairmen of the states’ panels, were named as defendants in the suit.
The Police in the suit held that the state governments lacked the power to constitute the panels to investigate activities of the police force and its officials in the conduct of their statutory duties.
It, therefore, prayed the court to declare the establishment of panels of inquiry by the governors of the various states into activities of the police concerning the discharge of its duties unconstitutional, among others.
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Reacting to the suit, in a post on its official Twitter handle, the NPF said the IGP who expressed disapproval of the Force Management Team on the matter, ordered investigations into the alleged role of the Force Legal Section including its Head.
The tweet also disclosed that the Force Legal Officer has been queried and may face further sanctions if found guilty of dereliction of duty
The series of tweets was titled, “ENDSARS: IGP ORDERS INVESTIGATIONS INTO ALLEGED SUIT TOUCHING ON STATES’ JUDICIAL PANEL OF INQUIRY QUERIES FORCE LEGAL OFFICER
It read: “The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A 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 3rd December, 2020, 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.”
