- A source in the presidency has allegedly disclosed that President Buhari is seeking legal advise from AGF Malami on the possible extension of IGP Idris' tenure
- Idris clocked 35 years in the service on January 3, and should ordinarily have retired
- It has not been confirmed if Malami has written the legal advise on the matter, though he is not known to go against Buhari's wishes
- So far, President Buhari has reportedly not sought input from the Nigeria Police Council on the matter
A senior official in the presidency has allegedly disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, for a legal opinion on the possible extension of the tenure of the inspector-general of police, Ibrahim Idris.
According to The Cable, a senior presidency source allegedly disclosed that the president is favourably disposed to extending Idris’ tenure “by two to three months” but would not want any legal issues around it.
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Legit.ng notes that on January 3, Idris clocked 35 years in the service and should ordinarily have retired. He was appointed IGP by Buhari in March 2016.
However, he has so far remained in office, fueling speculation that the president wants him to remain in office until the elections are over.
This, however, does not sit well with various opposition parties who accuse the IGP of being partisan and are opposed to his tenure being extended.
The presidency source allegedly stated: “The president has asked Malami for a legal opinion on the tenure extension. He does not want to take any decision that will be upturned by the courts."
Though Malami is not known to go against Buhari's wishes, it has not been confirmed if he has written the legal advise on the matter.
Section 215 (1) of the 1999 Constitution states: “There shall be – (a) an Inspector-General of Police who, subject to section 216(2) of this Constitution shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Nigeria Police Force.”
It has been argued, however, that by virtue of the fact that Idris has already attained the length of service for mandatory retirement by over a week, he is, technically, no longer a serving policeman.
There are also questions as to why President Buhari has not sought input from the Nigeria Police Council on the matter.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Barrister Ali Jamilu, a legal practitioner in Kano state, on Tuesday, January 8, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to turn down calls for the extension of the tenure of the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris.
Jamilu claimed that no law in Nigeria presently justifies any extension of the IGP's stay in office. He was reacting to rumours that the president was planning to heed to agitations for an extension of Idris' tenure, describing the move as contrary to the constitution.
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Source: Legit.ng
