A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has sentenced the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba to three months in prison for disobeying a court order.
Justice Olajuwon delivered the judgement on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 following a suit filed by a former police officer, Patrick Okoli who claimed he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Police Force.
The court held that the police chief should be committed to prison for a period of three months, or until he obeys it made since 21st of October 2011.
The court also ordered the payment of N10 million (Ten Million Naira) to the applicant, being special and general damages for the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional denial of his (Patrick’s) rights and privileges as a Senior Officer of the Nigeria Police Force from 1993 till date.
Justice Olajuwon noted that though the Police Service Commission (PSC) recommended Okoli’s reinstatement into the Nigeria Police Force, a decision that was affirmed by the court, the IGP refused to comply with the order.
He said; “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.”
