Despite the Federal High Court in Abuja sentencing Usman Alkali-Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to three months imprisonment, there are clear reasons he might not honour the order.
His offence was for contempt of court as he disobeyed an order to reinstate former police officer, Patrick Okoli, that was forcefully retired over an accusation that has been nullified by the court of law.
Regardless of the High Court’s directive, IGP Alkali-Baba out of negligence, paid no attention to the ruling to reactivate Officer Okoli’s appointment.
However, the reason the court ruling that ordered the arrest of the police chief is highly likely not going to be feasible is the impunity enjoyed by high-ranking government officials that seem untouchable by the law.
In the practical sense of the Nigerian constitution and what the laws postulate, with all things being equal, the IGP should be in jail now.
Realistically, the ruling would not hold water as we await to see him handcuffed and taken to prison, especially as he’s the face of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF.
The second reason Alkali would not be jailed is the court sentence, IGP’s case will be contested in an appeal court which might give the initial judgement zero basis for implementation.
Once the ruling is invalidated, the police chief would continue parading freely with no restrictions on exercising is daily obligations.
