The President of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Dr. Prince Kehinde Taiga, has dismissed the claim by Debo Adeniran, who has been parading himself as the president of the body, as false and misleading.
Taiga described Adeniran as an impostor with no legitimate claim to the office of president of the CDHR.
In an exclusive interview with Emerald News, Taiga clarified that his tenure as the president of CDHR is a four-year term, which is set to end in November 2025.
Therefore, he asserted that Adeniran, who once served as CDHR’s general secretary and a former member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), has no right to speak as the president or represent the body.
Taiga further condemned Adeniran’s statement about the continued stay of Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), in office.
Adeniran had stated that Egbetokun’s tenure violated civil service rules and undermined democratic principles.
Adeniran had also argued that the police act’s amendment, which provides for a fixed tenure for the IGP, contradicted the civil service rules that mandate retirement for police officers at the age of 60 or after 35 years of service.
Adeniran’s remarks were dismissed by Taiga, who branded him as unfit to speak for the leading human rights organization in Nigeria.
Taiga asserted that Adeniran’s claims are unfounded, as his term as president does not expire until November 2025, and therefore, Adeniran lacked the authority to issue statements on behalf of the CDHR.
Comrade Taiga reiterated that the tenure of the Inspector General of Police is a matter under the exclusive discretion of the Nigerian president and not a subject of media debates or social media discussions.
According to Taiga, the police act stipulates that the IGP is to serve a four-year term, and the constitution does not mandate that the IGP must have four years left in service at the time of appointment.
“The appointment of the IGP is the constitutional prerogative of the president of Nigeria,” Taiga stated.
He continued: “Once an IGP is appointed, he is expected to serve a four-year term. There are no constitutional provisions stating that the IGP must retire at the age of 60 or after 35 years in service.”
Comrade Taiga further urged those questioning the continued tenure of the IGP to seek judicial intervention rather than use public platforms to challenge the constitution.
“If there are legal concerns, the appropriate forum to address them is the court,” Taiga noted.
He said: “The newspapers and social media are not the appropriate venues for determining constitutional matters. If a court rules otherwise, the IGP will comply, but until then, Kayode Egbetokun remains the legitimate IGP of Nigeria.”
