IGP Reveals Next Move After Being Hit With 3-Month Jail Sentence

IGP Reveals Next Move After Being Hit With 3-Month Jail Sentence

Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, has filed a motion in a Federal High Court in Abuja to vacate the contempt proceeding and committal order against him.

Baba outlined numerous reasons why the orders should be overturned in a motion filed on Thursday.

He claimed to have gotten proper legal advice from the Commissioner of Police in charge of the force’s legal unit.

In a statement issued Friday morning, the force’s spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the top cop explained that he had not yet been appointed as IGP when the case was filed and the reinstatement order was granted.

Read Also BREAKING: Presidency Breaks Silence On Derivation Arrears Controversy (See What States Got From FG)

He also argued that the contempt proceedings were served on the then-Inspector-General of Police, rather than on him as the incumbent, in November 2018 and January 2019.

“The IGP in his disposition further noted that even before his assumption of Office, official steps had been taken by his predecessors toward complying with the reinstatement of Patrick C. Okoli, the plaintiff, as ordered by the Court”, the statement said.

“As noted by him, this was evidenced by an official letter addressed to the Police Service Commission on the approval of the then Inspector General of Police, as far back as 2015, and before the court order of November 29th, 2022, requesting the Commission to issue a reinstatement letter to the plaintiff and also effect his promotion in line with the order of the Court and in the exercise of their statutory authority in that regard.

“Hence, the grounds for the contempt proceedings ought not to have existed, ab initio. The IGP reassures Nigerians of his unalloyed commitment and steadfastness in defending the rule of law and respecting judicial authorities and hence, will not wittingly or unwittingly disobey any order validly granted by courts of competent jurisdiction.”

Stay Updated With More News By Joining Our WhatsApp Group With The Link Below

https://chat.whatsapp.com/K4lp5EKuqaACBUywirqziW