The Federal High Court, Abuja, has set aside its ruling sentencing Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba to prison for contempt on November 29, 2022.
In a decision on Wednesday, Justice Bolaji Olajuwon stated that there was evidence in front of the court demonstrating that the IGP has mostly cooperated with the court’s earlier judgment requiring the reinstatement of an officer, Patrick Okoli, who was forced into retirement.
Justice Olajuwon said the IGP’s request for the cancellation of the committal order merits sympathetic consideration.
In his words, “In view of the substantial compliance with the order of the court and the assurance of ensuring full compliance, the order commuting the applicant, IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, is hereby set aside.”
In his reaction after Wednesday’s ruling, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a spokesperson for the Force, responded by saying it was evidence of Baba’s innocence and respect for the law.
Adejobi said, “Today’s verdict proves the innocence of the IGP, Usman Baba, and his and the NPF’s respect for the rule of law. We will, however, release an official statement soon.”
Recall that the judge had found the IGP guilty and given him a three-month jail term for disobeying the Federal High Court’s order of October 21, 2011, restoring Okoli, in the verdict from November 29.
