IGP Disowns Suit Challenging Judicial Panels, Orders Investigation

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Nwolu Obiajulu

Obiajulu Nwolu is an established writer at africannewstoday.com. He is passionate about African affairs. He loves writing about interesting facts relating to the African continent and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others.

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The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances behind a suit allegedly filled at a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the various panels probing allegations of rights abuses against police officials.

Reports had emerged of a suit seeking to among others, an order restraining the Attorney-General of the 36 states and the panels of inquiry they constituted, from continuing with investigations of the activities of the disbanded Special Ant-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Judicial panels of inquiry have been sitting in most states in the country probing allegations of police misconduct following nationwide #EndSARS protests by youths.

Reacting to the development, the IGP in a statement issued by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer on Thursday said the suit did not originate from the police hierarchy, noting that the Force Legal Officer has been queried and may face further sanctions if found guilty of dereliction of duty.

Mba in the statement titled, ‘EndARS: IGP Orders Investigations Into Alleged Suit Touching On States’ Judicial Panel Of Inquiry, Queries Force Legal Officer’ said that Adamu has ordered an immediate investigation into the supposed suit.

He said, “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 Special Anti-Robbery Squad (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.

He added, “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.”

The Police chief had disbanded SARS following a widespread protest against the misconduct of the operatives of the unit, forming the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit in its place.