The Nigeria Police Force has said it was unaware of a Hight Court ruling which slammed a 3-month prison sentence on its Chief, IGP Usman Alkali Baba.
Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, while reacting to media reports that IGP Baba disobeyed a Court Order for the reinstatement of a dismissed officer of the Force.
TheFact Daily, had earlier reported that Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, had on Tuesday, 29 November 2022, following a suit filed by a former police officer, Patrick Okoli, who claimed he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigeria Police Force, ruled that the
Police Chief be committed to prison for a period of three months, for failing to comply with an order to reinstate Okoli back into the Force as recommended by the Police Service Commission, PSC.
Justice Olajuwon had also ordered the payment of N10million to Okoli as special and general damages for the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional denial of his rights and privileges as a Senior Officer of the Nigeria Police Force from 1993 till date.
Adejobi stated emphatically that the office of the IGP “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”, making the case that the 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 201, which should ordinarily not fall under the direct purview of the current administration of the Force. Thus, the news is strange and astonishing”, he said.
He however added that the IGP has 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”, Adejobi said.
