In Abuja, the National Industrial Court has issued a directive for the arrest of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali, and the Force Secretary, AIG Hafeez Inuwa. The court deemed their actions as contemptuous for failing to comply with a court order.
The initial court ruling had mandated the IG to reinstate police officers who were graduates of Courses 33, 34, and 35 at the police academy. These officers had allegedly been forcefully retired by the police force. However, it appears that the IG did not adhere to the court's order.
The affected officers took their grievances to the court and requested that their compulsory retirement be nullified. In response, Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, presiding over the case, ordered the IG, the Police Service Commission, and the Force Secretary to reinstate the retired officers.
Unfortunately, since the judgment was delivered on April 19, 2022, the IG and the other defendants have failed to comply with the court order.
On June 8, 2023, the court issued a recent order, expressing disappointment in the IG's refusal to obey the court despite advice from relevant stakeholders within the police force.
The court order stated, "It is evident that this court delivered a judgment in this case on 19/4/2022, ordering the immediate reinstatement of the judgment creditors/applicants. It is also on record that the Police Service Commission, the statutory body responsible for appointments, promotions, and disciplinary matters within the police force, had instructed the Inspector General of Police to comply with this court's judgment.
"Furthermore, the CP, Legal, the Head of Department of the Nigerian Police Force, provided legal advice to the Inspector General of Police, urging compliance with this court's order, as indicated in a letter dated [date]. However, the IG has persistently refused to comply with the court's judgment, despite receiving the advice and being served with the court's order on multiple occasions.
"This is a sworn officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who pledged to uphold the rule of law, but now he has failed to adhere to the very law he vowed to uphold. It is crucial to emphasize that this court has given ample opportunities to both the IG and the Force Secretary to appear before this court and demonstrate why they should not be held in contempt. The court record reveals that they have been served with the court order on numerous occasions, yet they have chosen to defy the court's order and disrespect this esteemed chamber of justice.
"Justice is not exclusively reserved for the privileged; it is indeed meant for the disadvantaged and vulnerable as well. It is disheartening to consider the behavior of the head of an enforcement agency like the police, the Inspector General of Police. How can he find it so challenging or seemingly impossible to comply with a simple court order? Additionally, one must question the example he is setting for his officers if he, as the head of the Nigerian Police Force, has decided to blatantly disregard the law, despite advice from the Police Service Commission and his own officer, the CP, Legal, to comply. This behavior is both absurd and appalling.
"In light of these facts, which are consistent with the court record, I find the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and the Force Secretary, AIG Hafeez Inuwa, in contempt of this court. They are to be arrested and produced before this court for necessary action."
The case has been adjourned until October 9, 2023.
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