Show Example To Your Officers By Obeying Court Orders — Okutepa SAN Appeals To IGP

*Says Federal High Court Ordered IGP Since November 5th To Release Jude Osuhor And Happiness Efifie But Is Yet TO comply

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa SAN, has expressed concern that the Inspector General of the Police, IGP, has refused to comply with orders of court which directed him to release the duo of Jude Osuhor And Happiness Efifie.

Okutepa, in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, said the duties of the Nigerian Police do not include disobedience to court orders.

“Nigeria is doomed given the level of disobedience to law and order and court judgment or orders of court of competent jurisdiction by the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria.

“That Nigerian Inspector General of Nigerian Police can allow himself to be used to undermine the authority and orders of Nigerian courts portends grave consequences for our nation Nigeria.

The duty of Nigerian police does not include disobedience to court orders. Nigerian constitution enjoys the police to enforce and obey court orders.

“On the 15th of October 2021 the Nigerian Police under the command and directions of Nigerian Inspector General of Police ordered the arrest and detention of Mr Jude Osuhor and Ms Happiness Efifie upon a petition said to have been written by one Lovett Efifie.

Since on the 15th October 2021, the Inspector of General of Police and police officers under him have been unable to appreciate that Nigerian constitution does not vest in the Inspector General of Police to keep anyone in detention for more than 24 hours or at most 48 hours. On the 5th of November 2021, Federal High Court ordered that Jude Osuhor and Happiness Efifie be released from unlawful detention. Yet the Inspector General of Police and his officers have refused to obey the orders and have deliberately refused to release these Nigerians being unlawfully kept in detention.

“The orders of the Federal High Court were duly served on the Inspector General of Police on the 5th of November 2021. The Inspector-General of Police and officers under him were served and yet contrary to the Police Act and the constitution of Nigeria Mr. Inspector General of Police has refused to obey the orders of court.” Okutepa said

He further expressed concern that the police has constituted itself to a law unto itself. He called on the IGP to kindly obey the order of the Federal High Court to serve as an example to his officers.

He said, “Nigerian police under the Inspector General of Police have become law unto themselves. They have decided to treat the lawful orders of court with levity and disdain.

“What a society. What a country. My appeal to him to obey orders of court fell on deaf ears. The Inspector-General of Police please obey court orders and release Jude Osuhor and Happiness Efifie. You have to show examples to your officers by obeying court orders.”