By Becky Usman

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has taken the unprecedented step of ordering the arrest of Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali, and Force Secretary, AIG Hafeez Inuwa, for their failure to comply with a court order, which constitutes contempt of court.

Previously, the court had ruled in favor of police officers from Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the police academy who were allegedly forcefully retired by the force. The court ordered the reinstatement of these officers, but it appears that the Inspector General of Police did not adhere to the court’s directive.

The aggrieved officers, dissatisfied with the IG’s non-compliance, approached the court seeking the nullification of their compulsory retirement. Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi presided over the case and issued an order requiring the IG, the Police Service Commission, and the Force Secretary to reinstate the retired officers.

However, since the delivery of the judgment on April 19, 2022, the Inspector General of Police and the other defendants have consistently failed to comply with the court order.

In a recent order dated June 8, 2023, Justice Oyewumi criticized the Inspector General of Police for his refusal to obey the court’s order, despite advice from relevant stakeholders within the police force.

The court order stated, “It is on record that this court delivered a judgment in this case on 19/4/2022 and ordered that the judgment creditors/applicants should be reinstated forthwith. The Police Service Commission, the statutory body vested with the power to appoint, promote, and discipline the judgment creditors/applicants, also ordered the Inspector General of Police to comply with the judgment of this court.”

The court further noted that the CP Legal, the Head of Department of the Nigerian Police Force, had issued a legal advice urging the Inspector General of Police to comply with the court order. Despite these explicit instructions, the IG has consistently refused to comply.

Justice Oyewumi expressed deep concern over the actions of the Inspector General of Police, who, as an officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has taken an oath to uphold the rule of law. The court expressed dismay at the IG’s flagrant disregard for a simple court order and questioned the example he was setting for his officers.

Consequently, the court held both the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, and the Force Secretary, AIG Hafeez Inuwa, in contempt of court and ordered their immediate arrest. They are to be produced before the court to face necessary action.

The case has been adjourned until October 9, 2023.