Police boss, Mohammed Adamu, has distanced himself from a lawsuit instituted by the force demanding the disbandment of judicial panels set up by state governments.
After the October global protests demanding extensive police reforms, state governments formulated investigative panels to probe alleged abuses by force personnel, particularly those of the now defunct special anti-robbery squad.
Earlier today, a national daily reported that the force headquarters in Abuja approached a federal high court urging it to quash the legality of the constituted panel.
But in a statement late Thursday, Mr Adamu feigned ignorance of the legal action which hearing will commence on the 18th of this month. The statement reproduced on the social media accounts of the force said the police boss has ordered investigation into what led to the lawsuit.
“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 SARS,” it read.
“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.
“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,” it added.
