IGP not aware of court order reinstating dismissed officer — Police
2 min read
Nigeria police force
…says IGP ould never disregard court ruling, rule of law
The Force Headquarters have denied that the Inspector General of police, Usman Baba is aware of any court ruling, directing the immediate reinstatement of a police officer who was reportedly retired from service without due process.
The denial is coming after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, sentenced the police chief, to three months in prison for court contempt.
The presiding judge, Mobolaji Olajuwon, gave the ruling on Tuesday following a suit filed by a former police officer, Patrick Okoli, who claimed he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian police force.
While responding to the court ruling in statement, the police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that Usman did not disregard court order or rule of law as the office is not aware of any Court Order.
Adejobi further noted that the case which the court gave verdict today has to do with an officer who was dismissed in 1992, a few years after the current IGP joined the Nigeria Police Force.
He however, said that the commissioner of police in charge of the force legal unit has been directed to investigate the allegation in order to ascertain the position of the court and profer informed legal advice for the IGP’s prompt and necessary action.
The statement reads, “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state emphatically that the office of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+),NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, did not disregard Court Order or rule of law as the office is not aware of any Court Order, during the current IGP’s tenure, with respect to a matter making the round in the media that the IGP disobeyed a Court Order for the reinstatement of a dismissed officer of the Force.
“It is instructive to note that the case in point concerns an officer who was dismissed as far back as 1992, a few years after the current IGP joined the Nigeria Police Force, based on available facts gleaned from the reports. The most recent judgement on the matter was given in 2011 which should ordinarily not fall under the direct purview of the current administration of the Force. Thus, the news is strange and astonishing.
“The IGP has however directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force Legal Unit to investigate the allegation in a bid to ascertain the position of the court and profer informed legal advice for the IGP’s prompt and necessary action.
“The Inspector-General of Police reiterates his commitment to upholding the rule of law and synergizing with the judiciary to ensure quick dispensation of justice for an improved criminal justice system.”
