Court dismisses motion stopping Adamu from parading self as IGP

IGP Mohammed Adamu

A Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a motion seeking an order restraining Mohammed Adamu from parading himself as the inspector-general of police (IGP).

Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the ruling following a motion exparte with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/106/21 filed by Maxwell Opara, a legal practitioner, and argued by his lawyer, Ugochukwu Ezekiel.

Arguing the motion, Mr Ezekiel had told the court that the application was brought pursuant to Section 215, 216 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and provision of the court.

Joined as defendants in the suit were President Muhammadu Buhari, Adamu, attorney-general of the federation, and the ministry of justice.

Opara, in the motion dated February 11 and filed February 12, had prayed the court for an order restraining Adamu from parading himself as IGP and an order for abridgement of time within which the defendants should respond to the application.

However, Justice Mohammed held that since all the defendants had already been served with the originating process in the suit, it would be unfair to grant the exparte motion when the defence had within 30 days to respond to the main suit.

The judge said such order would be contrary to the provision of the law.

The judge adjourned the matter until February 24 for continuation of hearing.