The Nigeria Police Force says it is not aware of a court order about reinstating a dismissed officer, adding that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Babathe did not disregard the order or defied rule of law.
Earlier, a federal high court in Abuja had sentenced the IGP to three months imprisonment.
In a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, force’s spokesman, the police did not receive any court order during the current IGP’s tenure on the reinstatement of the dismissed officer.
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“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state emphatically that the office of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+),NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, did not disregard Court Order or rule of law as the office is not aware of any Court Order, during the current IGP’s tenure, with respect to a matter making the round in the media that the IGP disobeyed a Court Order for the reinstatement of a dismissed officer of the Force,” the statement partly read.
According to Adejobi, the case concerns an officer who was dismissed as far back as 1992, a few years after the current IGP joined the Nigeria Police Force, and the most recent judgement on the matter was given in 2011 which should ordinarily not fall under the direct purview of the current administration of the force.
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He added that the police boss has directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force’s Legal Unit to investigate the allegation in a bid to ascertain the position of the court and profer informed legal advice for the IGP’s prompt and necessary action.
“The Inspector-General of Police reiterates his commitment to upholding the rule of law and synergizing with the judiciary to ensure quick dispensation of justice for an improved criminal justice system,” he added
