The Federal High Court, in Abuja on Tuesday send the Inspector-General of police , Usman Alkali Baba to three months imprisonment for disobey court order.
The judgement was giving by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, that deliver his rulling following one suit of one former police officer, Patrick Okoli that claim himself unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigeria Police Force.
The Federal High court in Abuja, rule that the IGP should committed to prison and detain for custody for one period of three months, or until it obey one order that was given by court since 21 October, 2011.
“If not at the end of the three months, the contemnor remained recalcitrant and still refuse to purge his contempt, so that he will learn how to follow orders or he will be committed for another period and until he purge contempt”, court hold.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon noted that the Police Service Commission (PSC), has recommend Patrick Okoli reinstatement into the Police, that’s decision was confirm by court, because the IGP refused to comply with the court order.
Even the court also order him to pay sum of N10million to the applicant, as special and general damages for the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional denial his rights and privileges as Senior Officer of the Nigeria Police Force from 1993 till date.
The evidences of the affidavits that back up the suit, Mr Patrick Okoli was been forcefully retired in June 1992.
Because he challenge the forceful retirement police officer, at Bauchi High Court on February 19, 1994.
Though court deliver judgment to favour the applicant and cancel the letter of compulsory retirement.
The Federal high court also order them to reinstate the applicant with all rights and privileges back to him.
But the Police Service Commission (PSC) for one of the letter in 13 October, 2004, has direct the IGP to reinstate the applicant and issue one recommendation for promotion, that’s why court decide.
After that period, Mr Patrick Okoli organise one suit FHC/ABJ/CS/637/2009 for the Federal High Court in Abuja while thy ask for order of mandamus to force them to enforce the order of the Bauchi High Court and even the directives of the PSC.
Because the Federal High Court for Abuja has deliver the judgment in favour of the applicant of 21 October , 2011.
Even the office of the IGP appeal for the court judgment but the appeal was dismissed.
The Police said that thy are not aware of the court order
The Nigeria Police Force has respond about the office of the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba for lockdown the Court Order or rule of law.
Since the statement, police said that his office wasn’t aware of any Court Order, during the current IGP as takes over office.
Because their response was sake of matter that was going round that the (IGP) disobey Court Order which said he should reinstate one dismissed officer of the Force.
The Police officer has said that it’s very important that people should know that the matter concern one officer that was dismiss as far back in 1992, few years back after the current (IGP) join the Nigeria Police Force.
The Police has said that the most recent judgement on this matter that was given in 2011, it suppose ordinarily not to fall under the current administration of police Force. Base on this, because the news was strange and surprising.
Because the statement has said (IGP), however the direct Commissioner of Police that was in charge of the Force Legal Unit has investigate the allegation so thy don’t know the position of the court and carry out informed legal advice for the IGP rapidly and necessary action.
It was similar case that shelle offend early November, the Federal High court in Abuja has convict of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa for contempt. The court rulling cause numerous reactions.
Even the court direct them to lock-up Bawa for the Kuje correctional facility, at the Nigerian capital City, Abuja. Until thy are ready to obey court order, that has that the commission return one range rover and the sum of N40 million naira.
The EFCC has said that thy have return the vehicle but thy are still with the money.
Even Justice Chizoba Oji that gives his judgement also direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba to make sure that he execute the order of the court accordance.