The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Usman Baba as the Inspector-General of Police.
The suit, marked FHC/CS/ 31/2023, was filed by one Micheal Idoko, with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and four others listed as defendants.
But Justice James Omotoso, in a judgment on Tuesday, dismissed the suit, holding that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi or legal grounds to institute it.
The judge, while describing Idoko as a meddlesome interloper, said he could not file the suit under the guise of public interest.
The judge held that by the provisions of Section 7(6) of the Police Act 2020, an Inspector-General of Police will be in office for four years, regardless of when he should retire from the Nigeria Police Force.
Describing the plaintiff as a meddlesome interloper, the judge said the plaintiff failed to establish having any special interest over and above other Nigerians, adding that the suit amounted to a mere academic exercise.
Idoko had, through his counsel, James Onoja, SAN, filed the suit challenging the legality of the continued stay of Baba in office as IG on the grounds of his age.
The plaintiff asked the court to declare the appointment of Baba null and void as he was required to retire after attaining 35 years in service or attaining 60 years of age, whichever came first.
Contact: [email protected]
