Corporal, Olajide Omolola , was dismissed from the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, for breaking Section 127 of the Police Act And Regulation.

NAIJA NEWS NG reports that a Police wireless message with reference number CJ:4161/EKS/IY/Vol.2/236, DTO:181330/01/2021was sent for her dismissal .

The wireless message originated from the Department of Finance and Administration in Ado Ekiti and was addressed to the Divisional Police Officer at Iye Ekiti .

The Section 127 of the Police and Regulation which she allegedly violated reads :

“Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation against women police getting pregnant before marriage W/PC (woman corporal) Olajide Omolola passed out of Police Training School on 24/04/2020 attached to yours contravened above provisions.

“She stands dismissed from the Force. Dekit her. Retrieve police documents in her possession with immediate effect. O/C CFO Ekiti only. You are to relay signal to IPPIS Abuja for the stoppage of her salary with immediate effect.

“DECOMPOLS (deputy commissioners of police)/ACPOLS (assistant commissioners of police)/HODs/DPOs Ekiti State only. You are to lecture women police. Treat as very urgent.”

It would interest you to know that the new Police Act which was passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2020 repealed this section of the Police Act. The repealed section also mandated policewomen to take permission from their superiors before getting married.

However the Court of Appeal on Wednesday 14th of October declared the new Police Act void and unconstitutional because it gave the Inspector General of Police power to employ constables instead of the Police Service Commission.

Three Facts To Consider :

1- Marginalization Of Women :

There are different angles to this story. The Feminists have started raising dusts, shouting that this is a violation of Olajide Omolola ‘s rights and the rights of female police officers. They argue that the Nigerian Police Force do not have the right to determine a woman’s love life since no one sacks a male police officer who impregnates a single lady.

The fact here is, the male and female anatomy are not the same. The health challenges a woman faces when pregnant, men do not face it after impregnating a lady. The writers of Section 127 of the old Police Act might have done so after considering that it is not right to expose a young woman who just got pregnant to the hazardous duties of a Police officer. Imagine a pregnant lady chasing criminals, it could endanger the pregnancy.

2- Married Policewomen :

Some also ask “what of those married policewomen who get pregnant, go for maternity leave and return to work after delivery?” . The answer is, those married policewomen paid their dues when they were newly employed by not getting pregnant early in their career.

3- Legal Loopholes :

If the reviewed Police Act was not declared unconstitutional and void by the Appeal Court, Olajide Omolola could have been spared . The big question is, what happens if by tomorrow the Supreme Court clears the new Police Act and Regulation, will Olajide Omolola be recalled and compensated ?

What if the she got pregnant the period the Police Act and Regulation was passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Buhari before the Court of Appeal declared it void?

Conclusion :

Olajide Omolola has been divinely placed in the position to test this law and historically end the old Section 127 of the old Police Act and Regulation. She can only do this by going to court.

Written by Paschal Ogechi Chikero Obi. Paschal Ogechi Obi Chikero has written and published more than three books , he wrote Festus Keyamo’s biography- Lion In Isolation .He has been a Reality TV show Producer/Creator, an Actor and Film Script Writer. He is also a Journalist and Publisher of NaijaNewsNg.Com