Abuja-based human rights lawyer Maxwell Opara has withdrawn his lawsuit challenging the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, following his resignation from office. The Federal High Court struck out the case after the plaintiff informed the court that the matter had become academic.
The suit was withdrawn during proceedings before Justice Umar Mohammed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Opara told the court that the issues raised in the case were no longer relevant due to Egbetokun’s exit from office.
The legal action, filed on September 10, 2024, had challenged the extension of Egbetokun’s tenure as Inspector-General of Police. The lawyer sought declarations that Egbetokun had attained the compulsory retirement age of 60 and should have retired from public service.
The suit also argued that an appointment which had ended by operation of law could not be reinstated through subsequent legal amendments. Opara had asked the court to restrain Egbetokun from continuing to function as Inspector-General of Police.
Those listed as defendants in the matter included Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Police Council, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Federal Civil Service Commission.
When the matter was called, Opara stated that although he had hoped the court would prevent similar occurrences in the future, existing Court of Appeal decisions described such requests as academic once the principal issue had been resolved.
Justice Umar Mohammed subsequently struck out the case upon the plaintiff’s application.
Kayode Egbetokun resigned as Inspector-General of Police on February 24, citing personal and family reasons for his decision to step down.
