The Inspector General of Police Usman Baba Alkali has claimed ignorance of the court order for which he was accused of contempt.
A court had earlier committed the police boss to prison on Tuesday.
But in a swift reaction, the police claim the Inspector General was not aware of any court order let alone disobey it.
A statement released by Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said Tuesday evening that the police boss could not have willfully been in contempt of the court.
“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 said
The police added that It was instructive to note that the case in point concerned an officer who was dismissed as far back as 1992, a few years after the current IGP joined the Nigeria Police Force, based on available facts gleaned from the reports.
“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. Thus, the news is strange and astonishing.
“The IGP has however directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force 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 statement quoted the Inspector-General of Police as reiterating
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.
NPO Reported earlier that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, sentenced the Inspector-General of Police to three months in prison for disobeying a court order.
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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.
Delivering his judgement, 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.