The Nigeria Police Force has said the reason for the sentencing of the Inspector-General of Police for contempt of court was a case that was before Usman Alkali became the present IGP.
Newsonline reports that the police public relations officer, force headquarters, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the officer for whom the court gave judgement against IGP Uman was dismissed in 1992 and the order for reinstatement was given in 2011.
He said that at the time of the dismissal and court order for reinstatement, Usman Alkali has not been promoted to the current opposition.
Recall that on Tuesday, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja sentenced the IGP to three months in prison for contempt of court.
Justice M.O Olajuwon further held that “If at the end of the three months, the contemnor remains recalcitrant and still refuses to purge his contempt, he shall be committed for another period and until he purges his contempt.”
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In reaction to the sentence, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, force PPRO said, “It is astonishing to read or hear that a court in Abuja sentenced the IGP to 3-month imprisonment for his failure to obey court order on the reinstatement of an officer who was dismissed in 1992, barely 4 months the IGP was employed.
“Based on information, the order was issued in 2011, when IGP Usman Alkali Baba was not even the IGP. I think the person in whose order was given should have met with the new IGP when he was appointed, to follow up his recommendation or approval from the Police Service Commission that has the powers for reinstatement and promotion of officers. However, we will find out the Position of the case and study any judgement, if any, and act appropriately. Just to intimate my people on the new development on that matter.”
Adejobi added further, “So we need to make some findings to know what went wrong? We don’t even know if the reinstatement order was appealed. What even led to his dismissal? So let’s allow our legal unit to look into the case again, and give informed advice on the matter,” on his Twitter handle.