IGP, Arase Risks Jail Over Contempt

Masoyi Lusa

Following his failure to obey series of court orders, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, ‎ risk going to jail.

The IGP was taken to the Industrial Court by three police officers through their counsel Samaila Idris Esq calling‎ for their reinstatement.

The claimants include; Inspector Mustapha Gana; Sergeant Amos Simon and Corporal Aliyu Ibrahim.

Presiding judge, Justice R.H. Gwandu in a judgement order on the suitNo.NICN/BAU/01/2014 dated 17th December, 2014 ruled that “The Court declared that the service, appointment and status of the claimants in the Nigeria Police Force as Inspector, Sergeant and Corporal still subsist and that the purported oral dismissal of the claimants by the agents of the respondent are invalid, null, void and of no effect whatsoever”

The court also ordered that the claimants be forthwith reinstated to their employment as Inspector, Sergeant and Corporal respectively.

The IGP was notified and served by the court in Form 48, dated 4th November, 2015‎, which was a notice on his disobedience of the court order. It states that; “Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in the order dated 9th day of December, 2014, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison”

Another notice in Form 49 was later served to the IGP dated 10th November,2015‎ reminding him that the court order for the reinstatement of the police officers still subsists and must be obeyed.

In a Motion of Notice dated 26th November, 2015, the Applicants through their counsel prayed for an order committing the Respondent to prison for disobeying the order of the court dated 9th December, 2014.

“AND FURTHER Take notice that you are hereby required attending the court on the first mentioned day, show why an order for your committal should not be made,” the motion stated.