The Federal High Court,  Abuja has vacated its order instructing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali-Baba to be committed to prison for contempt.

Justice Bolaji Olajuwon had in the ruling of November 29, 2022, ordered the IGP to be imprisoned for three months over failure to comply with the October 21, 2011 judgment of the Federal High Court, directing the reinstatement of Patrick Okoli, who was compulsorily retired as a police officer.

Okoli was compulsorily retired in 1992 while serving in the Bauchi State Command as a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) by the Police Council (now Police Service Commission (PSC), which claimed to have acted under Decree 17 of 1984, a decision the court voided in the October 2011 judgment.

Displeased with his conviction,  the IGP approached the court to file a motion to set aside the contempt proceeding and committal order.

The Force in a statement  issued on Thursday, December 1 by its Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, had said the IGP  filed the motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Ruling on Wednesday, Justice Olajuwon held that there was evidence before her that  IGP  Alkali-Baba has substantially complied with the court’s earlier order directing the reinstatement of Patrick Okoli, who was compulsorily retired as a police office.

The court held that in view of the development, the application by the IGP, seeking the vacation of the committal order, “is worthy of sympathetic consideration.”

“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”, she said.

Reacting to the verdict, Adejobi said the ruling was a testament to Baba’s innocence and respect for rule of 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.”