Dismissed policewoman: Court adjourns till July 22 for definite hearing

The Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday, adjourned till July 22nd, 2021 for a definite hearing on the suit instituted by the Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olawale Fapohunda against the Inspector General of Police on the dismissed policewoman who was pregnant.

The policewoman, Omolola Olajide was dismissed in February this year from the force for being six months pregnant while still single.

Fapohunda, in the suit FHC/AD/CS/8/2021 is seeking an order of the court to nullify Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulations, which provides for the discharge from the Police Force female officers who become pregnant while married unofficially.

Joined as co-defendants in the suit are the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police and the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Justice Babs Kuewumi, on Tuesday, adjourned the case after the Attorney-General prayed the court for a short extension of time to file a response to the application by the defendants IGP through their lawyer Femi Falade that it will amount to an abuse of judicial process to continue the case after a similar case had been instituted at the Industrial Court.

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The defendant’s counsel, Falade, did not oppose the application.

Fapohunda said, “We have asked for time to respond to the new application by the IGP and the court graciously agreed with us and adjourned till July 22 for a definite hearing. It is noted that now, we have settled the preliminary areas, we are set for the definite hearing.

“We were told that a similar suit has been filed at the Industrial Court on behalf of the female police officer and the court is being called upon whether this is not an abuse of court process. This is a matter the court will decide when we are back here next week.”

The Commissioner dismissed insinuations from some quarters that his office is only for prosecution of criminals, explaining that the Attorney General would always protect the rights of citizens when abused.

According to him, “It is regrettable that a number of people including those who should know that the role of Attorney General is just simply to prosecute and in my view that it is a misunderstanding of the role of the Attorney General.

“If you ask me, the number one important role of the Attorney General is to protect the rights of the citizens, hopefully, this case will clarify that. It is the Ministry of Justice and justice is not just about prosecution, it is about ensuring that everyone gets justice. Where the rights of citizens are violated, the Attorney General should be able to be in a position to step forward.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE