Pack your bags now and head to Kuje Prison – Group tells IGP Usman Baba
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to immediately comply with the directive of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which sentenced him to three month imprisonment for contempt of court following his refusal to obey an order earlier given by the court.
HURIWA, which commended the court ruling, hailed the justice system for its courageous decision, adding that it shows that nobody is above the law.
In a statement it released on Tuesday, HURIWA noted that the Judiciary had lawfully exercised the judicial authority conferred on it by Section (6) subsection (1) of the 1999 constitution.
HURIWA said that the order of the Federal High Court must be obeyed with immediate effect, “meaning that the IGP should surrender himself with his prison bag straight to the correctional center in Kuje. He should not treat this court order with ignominy or contempt,” the group stated.
“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to personally supervise the surrender of the IGP to the Federal Correctional Center, Kuje, without wasting time. Anything outside of strict compliance with this court order will mean that Nigeria has become a banana republic.”
The rights group said that the IGP could not be excused on the nebulous ground that he did not originate the breach of the court’s order even if he was the holder of the office at the time of the genesis of the matter because the office of the IGP is consistently occupied.
