IGP Disowns Suit Challenging #EndSARS Panel … Queries Force Legal Officer

Pat Stevens/

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has disowned the suit challenging the legality of the states’ judicial panels of inquiry investigating allegations of brutality and extortion against personnel of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The IG also expressed the disapproval of the Force Management Team on the matter and ordered an immediate investigation into alleged role of the Force Legal Officer, CP Tuesday Assayomo, in filing the suit.

The police had in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1492/2020, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, sought to quash the panels across all states, describing them as unconstitutional.

Police lawyers, led by Oyetola Atoyebi (SAN), said states had no powers to hear allegations of wrongdoings against police officers, noting that only the Nigeria Police Force could handle personnel issues.

The police also described the probe as “a violation of the provisions of Section 241 (1)(2) (a) and Item 45, Part 1, First schedule, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 21 of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act, Cap.T21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

The suit has been listed for hearing on December 18.

But the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, in a statement yesterday, disclosed that the force management did not authorise the legal challenge.

He disclosed that Assayomo, who had been queried, might face further sanctions if found guilty of dereliction of duty.

The statement was titled, ‘EndSARS: IGP orders investigation into alleged suit touching on states’ judicial panels of inquiry’.

It reads in part, “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.”

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