- The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Kpotum Idris has been accused of disobeying court orders
- This allegation was made by a coalition of Civil Society Organizations
- IGP Idris has been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent times
A group under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Justice and Equity (Coalition-JE), has taken a swipe at IGP Ibrahim Idris, for what they described as “a show of shame ”, in consistently disobeying court orders.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, December 15, Comrade Olayemi Success, said the rate at which the Police boss disrespects court judgements, if not checked, would slide the country into lawless state.
IGP Idris has been in the news in recent times for the wrong reasons. Photo credit: Situation Room
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His words: “A situation whereby IGP Idris who is supposedly the chief law enforcement officer turns out to be the chief law breaker with no respect for court orders, yet runs to the court for protection at every slightest opportunity is rather an aberration.”
He specifically refereed to a recent judgement given by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, where the Nigeria Police was ordered to unseal the corporate headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), with immediate effect.
The PCN had been under lock and keys since February, when the police clamped down on the corps, arresting its national commandant, Dickson Akoh and 49 others.
In his ruling, Justice Kolawole had described the arrest, detention and sealing of office as illegal and flagrant abuse of the rights of officers of the corps and awarded the sum of N12.5million.
Though the Nigeria Police had filed a notice of appeal against the said judgement, the group stated that the police was supposed to obey the substantive order.
“As at the time we checked, there was no order for stay of execution of the judgement delivered in favour of Peace Corps of Nigeria. It therefore goes without saying that IGP Idris and his men have no legal basis to remain in occupation of a property which they ought to have unsealed over a month ago.
“We make bold to say that this action of IGP Idris is the reason behind the recent complaint coming from the Chief Justice of Nigeria that the executive arm of government has constituted itself into a clog in the wheel of justice by refusing to obey court judgements. This is rather unfortunate and worrisome,” the group said.
The group threatened to shut down Abuja next week by mobilising otherCSOs , women, youths and students group, “with a view to demanding for the immediate sack of the IGP, and that IGP and the police be precluded by courts from instituting or continuing any legal proceedings in Nigeria court.”
Meanwhile, the PCN wants the Federal High Court, Abuja, to commit IGP Idris to prison for alleged disregard of court orders.
The corps in Form 48 on Contempt of Court filed on Wednesday, December 13, prayed the court to jail Idris, to serve as a deterrent to others in position of authority.
READ ALSO: Lagos lawyer drags IGP Idris to court, wants him removed as police boss
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Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Saturday, 16 December 2017