Failure to uphold the rule of law, Court orders arrest of IGP

By Tayo AFOLABI

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, and the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Hafiz Inuwa, for contempt of court.

Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, who gave the order lamented, “This is an officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who swore on oath to uphold the rule of law and the same law he has now failed or refused to obey”.

The Court’s order was sequel to the disobedience of the IGP and the Force Secretary of the court order to reinstate some police officers who are graduates of Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the police academy, alleged to have been forcefully retired by the force.

Recall that the aggrieved officers approached the court and sought an order to nullify their compulsory retirement from the service by the IGP.

The court presided over by Justice Oyewumi, however, ordered the IGP, the Police Service Commission, and the Force Secretary of the Police to reinstate the forcefully retired officers.

But the Police boss and others have failed to obey the judgment of the court delivered on April 19, 2022.

However, in a fresh order on June 8, 2023, a copy made available to journalists on Tuesday, Justice Oyewumi berated the IGP for the latter’s refusal to obey the court despite advice from the relevant stakeholders in the police force.

The court order read, “It is on record of this court that the court delivered a judgment in this case on 19/4/2022 and ordered that the judgment creditors/applicants should be reinstated forthwith.

“It is on record of this court also that the Police Service Commission, the statutory body that is vested with the power to appoint, promote and discipline the judgment creditors/applicants, had ordered the Inspector General of Police to comply with the judgment of this court.

“It is equally noteworthy that the CP, Legal, the Head of Department of the Nigerian Police Force had also issued a piece of legal advice urging the Inspector General of Police to comply with the order of this court vide a letter dated, and the Inspector General of Police received it on 27/7/2022 yet he has refused to obey or comply with the judgment of this court.

“This is an officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who swore on oath to uphold the rule of law and the same law he has now failed or refused to obey”.