The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, sentenced the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to three months in prison for disobeying a valid court order.

The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice M. O. 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 October 21, 2011.

“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”, the court held.

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 Nigerian 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 N10 million 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.

IGP Warns Against Use Of Police Uniforms On Social Media

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a strict warning on the misuse of police uniforms on social media.

This is coming after the police suspended two supernumerary officers for violation of social media policy.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, in a statement said the use of uniforms is only restricted to officers of the force.

Part of the statement read; “The incessant, illegal and unwarranted use of Police Uniforms restricted to bonafide serving officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

“This is coming on the heels of the suspension of two Supernumerary Police Officers, with immediate effect, for breach of the provisions of the Police Act, 2020.

“The Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment/Promotion/Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY) 2013 by the Inspector-General of Police, as captured in a video posted by one of the officers in a viral video on August 3rd, 2022.”

Former Speaker Dogara Petitions IGP, Alleges Plot To Assassinate Him

Yakubu Dogara, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, has alleged a threat to his life, saying two police officers are conspiring with one Barau Joel Amos to kill him.

As a result, Dogara petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba on August 18, claiming Amos allegedly confessed to buying the rifles from the police officers with the intention of killing him.

According to him, two persons – a lawyer, Istifanus Bala Gambar,  and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Markus Musa – are also targeted in the purported assassination plot.

“I am sure you are apprised of the matter since it involves looting of your armoury in Bauchi by the very officers who are entrusted with the safe custody of your arms and a constituent of mine, Barau Joel Amos, who sought to buy or has been buying assault rifles from the officers,” Dogara said.

“I find it worrisome that there has been no official advice from the police relating to this credible threat to our lives to enable us to beef up security around us or just to be careful about our movements. More so, there is a spike in cases of kidnappings and killings by unknown gunmen, especially in the Lere District of T/Balewa.

“A case in point was the attack at Boto town where some relations of a former Governor of the State were killed while some were abducted. With all due respect, this is a matter that must not be handled with kid gloves.

“His confession relates to those who gave him or contributed the money for him to be used to procure weapons. His bank statements and phone call logs will definitely collaborate with his confessions.

“Granted his meager salary as a storekeeper in a secondary school, it will have taken him a lifetime saving to be able to raise the N1.2 million cash which he wanted to use to buy the two rifles.”

The lawmaker however did not say why there is a threat to his life.

Source: Vanguard