Court Sentences Inspector General Of Police To Three Months In Prison
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja earlier today (Tuesday, 29th November) sentenced the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to three months in prison for disobeying a valid court order.
The court, in a judgment that was delivered by Justice M. O. Olajuwon, held that the IGP should be committed to prison and detained in custody for three months, or until he obeys an order it made on 21st October 2011.
The IGP’s committal followed a suit that was filed by a police officer, Mr Patrick Okoli, who was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian Police Force.
Justice Olajuwon noted that though the Police Service Commission (PSC) recommended Okoli’s reinstatement into the Police, a decision that was affirmed by the court, the IGP, refused to comply with the order.
If at the end of the three months, the contemnor remains recalcitrant and still refuses to purge himself of contempt, he shall be committed for another period and until he purges his contempt”, the court held.
The court had also ordered the payment of N10million to the applicant, being 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.
