A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has sentenced the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba to three months in prison for disobeying a valid court order.
In a ruling, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, held that the IGP should be committed to prison and detained in custody for a period of three months, or until he obeys an order it made since 21st October, 2011.
Justice Olajuwon further held that if at the end of the three months, the contemnor remained defiant to purge his contempt, he would be committed for another period and until he purges his contempt.
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 Nigeria 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.
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.
RN