Following the news that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja sentenced Usman Baba Alkali, the Inspector-General of Police, to three months in prison for allegedly disobeying its order, the Nigeria Police Force has reacted that the police boss was not aware of such court order.

In a press release on Tuesday, the police headquarters stated that the the IGP would never disregard any court ruling and the rule of law.

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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 police said.

Tracing the history of the court case in question, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, who signed the press statement, stated that Alkali should not have any direct responsibility for the case as the “most recent judgement on matter was given in 2011” before Alkali was appointed.

“It is instructive to note that the case in point concerns 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.

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“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.”

Based on a report by Channels TV, FIJ had reported that Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the court held the police chief executive in contempt of an order mandating the police to reinstate Patrick Okoli unjustly removed from the force in 1992.