The Nigeria Police Force has responded to Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja’s decision to sentence the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, to three months in prison for defying a court order.
Olajuwon made the decision in response to a lawsuit filed by Patrick Okoli, a former police officer who alleges he was wrongfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian police service.
The petitioner was forcibly retired in June 1992, according to the affidavits supporting the action.
After challenging his forced retirement, a Bauchi high court ruled in favor of the applicant on February 19, 1994, and invalidated the letter of obligatory retirement.
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In response to the verdict punishing the IGP, Police Force spokesperson CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, did not disregard a court order or rule of law because it was unaware of it.
Part of the statement is as follows:
“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 proffer informed legal advice for the IGP’s prompt and necessary action.
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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.”
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