November 30, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Tuesday, said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali-Baba, did not disobey the court order, issued for the reinstatement of dismissed Police Officer, Patrick Okoli.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, earlier on Tuesday, sentenced the IGP to three months in prison for disobeying a 2011 court order which ordered the reinstatement of Okoli.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP did not disregard the court order or the rule of law.
The statement read, “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 proffer 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 synergising with the judiciary to ensure quick dispensation of justice for an improved criminal justice system.”
