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Court Voids Regulation Which Allowed Dismissal Of Pregnant Unmarried Police Officers

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has declared Regulations 126 and 127 of the Nigerian Police as illegal. These regulations previously allowed for the dismissal of unmarried policewomen who became pregnant while in service.

 

Gatekeepers News reports that the three-man panel of the court has also asked the Nigerian Police Force, the Police Service Commission, and the Attorney General of the Federation to review the entire Police Regulations to ensure that they align with the demands of a modern society governed by the rule of law.

 

The decision was delivered in the suit filed by the incorporated trustees of the Nigeria Bar Association against the three respondents.
The legal battle began when the Nigerian Bar Association filed an originating summons challenging the discriminatory practices within the Nigerian Police Force on February 15, 2021.

 

However, the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed the action for lacking merit on February 21, 2022.
The appellants asked the court to determine among other things: Whether the provisions of Regulation 127 of the Nigeria Police Regulations made pursuant to the Police Act, Cap 19 Laws of the Federal of Nigeria, 2004, to the extent that it provides that “an unmarried woman police officer who becomes pregnant shall be discharged from the force, and shall not be re-enlisted except with the approval of the Inspector General of Police” does not violently contravene the provisions of Sections 37 & 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and therefore unconstitutional, null and void.

 

The NBA also asked the court to make “AN ORDER striking down Regulations 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Regulations made pursuant to the Police Act, Cap 19 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as same is in violent conflict with the provisions of Section 37 & 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Dissatisfied with the judgment, the Appellant approached the Court via a Notice of Appeal filed on March 15, 2022, containing six grounds.

Justice Olubunmi Oyewole read the lead judgment, which was unanimously adopted by the other members of the panel, Justice Bukola Banjoko and Justice Okon Abang. The Court of Appeal unanimously allowed the appeal, overturning the Federal High Court’s decision in favour of the NBA.
The court held that Regulations 126 and 127 of the Police Act “interfere with the privacy of the lives of female police officers and discriminate against them on the basis of their gender”.

 

Justice Oyewole said, “I do not agree with the learned trial Judge that the regulations in issue are necessary for morality and discipline in the Police Force as morality and discipline do not have gender bias.

“It is unthinkable that the Nigerian Police of this day and age operates on the principle that female officers need to be specially moderated and regulated while their male counterparts are free. This is unacceptable in a decent and democratic society governed by the rule of law.

 

“The argument that the deprivation involved were consented to by prospective female police officers who cannot subsequently complain flies in the face of the constitutional provisions expressly granting them the rights involved as citizens of this country.

 

“The rights given go beyond those for the personal benefit of the individuals involved as could be waived by them. They are public rights which accord with the demands of a fair, equitable and humane society. These are standards and values demanded of modern nations and which are outside the purview of any individual to waive.

 

“I therefore hold that the said regulations 126 and 127 are inconsistent with the provisions of section 37 and 42 of the Constitution and are therefore null and void to the extent of their inconsistency pursuant to section 1 (3) of the Constitution.
“The Respondents are advised to carry out a comprehensive review of the entire Police Regulations to ensure that they accord with the demands of a modern society operating under the rule of law.

“I accordingly resolve the two issues in favour of the Appellant and against the Respondents.This appeal is meritorious, and it is hereby allowed. Consequently, the decision of the lower court in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/178/2021 delivered on the 21stFebruary, 2022 is hereby set aside.

“Instead, the questions for determination in the said Suit are answered in the affirmative while the reliefs sought therein are granted as prayed. Parties shall bear their respective costs”.

 

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POWA HONOURS HON DR SAMUEL UDEH WITH AN AWARD OF RECOGNITION; hands over to police, huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus

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Joined state police command, IIRS, Insurance companies in policy sensitisation

*Austin Jp*

Imo State Chairman of NURTW Hon Dr Samuel Udeh JP.Fcai (Eze Umuokorobia) was honoured with an award of recognition by police officers wives association (POWA) for his benevolence and philanthropic gesture towards POWA empowerment program and service to humanity.

The award was presented by Mrs Jemimah Aboki Danjuma wife of Imo State commissioner of police Mr Danjuma Aboki, at the command headquarters in Owerri.

Reacting to the award recognition, Chief Samuel Udeh in humility expressed gratitude and appreciation to police wives association of Imo State chapter for the recognition and honour to him.

Hon Sam dedicated his award to Imo State governor His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Onyoko) and reaffirmed his commitment to service for the betterment of our dear State and the society at large.

Also at the event, Ukwenga Samuel Udeh handed over a huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus. The money was found by a member of the reformed union in the State under the leadership of Chief Samuel Udeh.

Handing over the cash to Imo CP, Hon Sam said this can only be done from a good spirited Nigerian which was as a result of the several reforms that has taken place in the union under his watch as the state chairman.

Imo CP commended the driver that found the money and the leadership of the union and said, such a Nigeria deserves a national award.

He said the money will be kept in their custody, while an announcement regarding the money will be put across the media platforms for the owner to come for claim. If after some time and the money wasn’t claimed, it will be paid into federal government account with the teller deposited in court.

Another event that took place at the state command was a seminar on the third party insurance policy, which involved representatives of the stakeholders from Imo State internal revenue service, insurance companies, national union of road transport workers and other related stakeholders were also present at the seminar.

Mr Aboki Danjuma stated that the essence of the seminar with the stakeholders is for them to go and educate their members on the new policy of third party insurance, as implementation and enforcement on the third party insurance will commence from 1st of February 2025 across the federation.The committee that will spearhead the implementation and enforcement were inaugurated at the seminar.

Importance of the third party insurance will be to assist the police in crime prevention. Whenever a vehicle is snatched, or used to commit a crime, it can easily be traced through the third party insurance database collection.

Answering questions from the pressmen after the seminar, Honourable Samuel Udeh said it is a good policy from the inspector general of police. The commissioner of police have said it all, it is now for us in the transport system to adhere to the advice of the commissioner of police and get the third party insurance for our vehicles.

He agreed with the police that the third party insurance will help to put to rest the issue of car theft in Imo State.

With database collection of the vehicles and the owners, together with other benefits of the policy which is paying compensation to accident victims by the insurance company, union will surely educate drivers who are members of the union on wheels to get their vehicles insured.

Chief Sam Udeh used the opportunity to thank the Imo CP for his commitment and dedication in securing Imo. He made a request for the officer in charge of the policy enlightenment to make out time to come to the union office to educate the members of the union, to enable total compliance from the drivers on wheels.

 

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Deacon Famous Discovers Love in Ghana

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Content creator, actor, and friend Udaya Chidiebere Awesome, popularly known as Deacon Famous, has found love in Ghana. Deacon Famous recently took to social media to announce his engagement to Mawusi Faith, a lovely Ghanaian woman from the Volta Region.

In a heartfelt post, Deacon Famous expressed his joy and gratitude, saying: “Mawusi Faith, it’s an absolute delight to embark on this lifelong journey with you. I waited patiently for the right one, and now I’ve found my perfect match.” He also hinted at a possible Ghanaian wedding celebration, exclaiming, “Ghana, we’re coming again!”

Photo source: Instagram

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My daughter planning wedding to pharmacist before murder – Mother of corper beheaded by gospel singer

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Mrs Ojomachenwu Adaidu, mother of Salome, a 24-year-old corps member who was murdered by an Abuja gospel, Timileyin Ajayi, speaks to TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about her daughter’s ambition before she met her untimely death, and asks for justice to be done in matter

What is your relationship with the slain corps member?

I am Mrs Ojomachenwu Adaidu, the mother of Salome Eleojo Adaidu.

Where are you from?

I am from Ogodu in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.

How old are you?

I am 52 years old.

What do you do for a living?

I am into a small business.

Which tertiary institution did your late daughter attend before going for her youth service?

She graduated from Kogi State University.

How would you describe Salome’s personality and values?

Salome was a wonderful child, hardworking and responsible. Every morning, before I even woke up, she would sweep and tidy the house. Among all my children, she was the most hardworking.

Salome was serving as a youth corps member before the incident. Did she ever talk to you about her plans?

Yes, she told me she wanted to become a doctor after her service year.

What went through your mind when you heard the news?

I felt like my world had ended. It’s a painful experience, and it still feels like a bad dream. People tried to console me, saying I have other children, but no one should go through something like this. It has been extremely difficult. What I want is justice for her. (Sobbing) I am currently very ill.

The suspect claimed Salome was his girlfriend. Can you clarify this?

That’s a lie. Salome was not his girlfriend. He didn’t even know her name. You can see in the video that the killer has a beard. My children don’t like men who keep beards, and Salome had no relationship with him. She already had someone she was dating; a pharmacist. I told her we would do the necessary wedding introduction after her service year.

What do you want the police to do as the investigation continues?

I want the police to thoroughly investigate this case and make him confess what happened. He should face justice for what he did. The way he cut my daughter’s body into pieces is the same way I want him to be dealt with. They should cut him too into pieces; I want to see it done.

How many children do you have?

I now have five children, four girls and one boy. I used to have six before losing Salome.

 Aside from being hardworking, what other qualities did Salome have?

She was very kindhearted. Every time, she received her alawee (youth service allowance), she would buy me drugs, foodstuffs, and provisions. She was so generous, and I miss her deeply. Since her father passed, she promised to stand by me and take care of me.

When did Salome’s father pass away?

He died on May 16, 2024. Now, I’ve lost both my husband and my daughter, two people so close to my heart.

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