Usman Baba Alkali, the Inspector-General of Police, has filed a motion against an order by a Federal High Court, Abuja division, committing him to prison for three months.

Alkali, via a motion on notice filed before the court, asked the court to set aside the order, citing relevant grounds upon which his application was brought.

The IGP argued that he was not directly connected with the institution of the case by the plaintiff and the reinstatement order granted by the honourable court, as they occurred before his appointment.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Court Sentences IGP Alkali to 3 Months in Prison

In a press release obtained by FIJ, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force spokesman, said, “In the motion filed before the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, December 1, 2022, the IGP extensively highlighted grounds why the orders should be set aside, including noting that he had not been appointed into office as Inspector-General of Police when the case was instituted and the reinstatement order in question granted”.

The IGP notified the court that prior to assuming office, his predecessors had initiated the process of reinstating the concerned police officer, Patrick Okoli, who is the plaintiff in the case.

The statement reads in part, “As noted by him, this was evidenced by an official letter addressed to the Police Service Commission on the approval of the then IGP, as far back as 2015, and before the court order of November 29, 2022, requesting the Commission to issue a reinstatement letter to the plaintiff and also affect his promotion in line with the order of the court and in the exercise of their statutory authority in that regard. Hence, the grounds for the contempt proceedings ought not to have existed ab initio.

READ ALSO: NPF Denies Knowledge of Court Judgement Against IGP

“The IGP reassures Nigerians of his unalloyed commitment and steadfastness in defending the rule of law and respecting judicial authorities and hence, will not wittingly or unwittingly disobey any order validly granted by courts of competent jurisdiction.”

FIJ had reported that the court sentenced the police chief to three months imprisonment on Tuesday, November 29. In its reaction, the force denied knowledge of the committal order against the IGP.