By A non-governmental organisation, the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), has written to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, asking him to reinstate an unmarried police corporal in Ekiti State, Omotola Olajide, who was sacked for getting pregnant.
It would be recalled that the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Mobayo, while justifying her dismissal, said Olajide contravened section 127 of the police regulation which recommends punitive measures.
In the letter signed by the Chairman of WELA, Mrs. Funmi Falana, on Thursday, the group described Olajide’s dismissal as “illegal and unconstitutional”.
The letter read in part, “The most fundamental issue is if this is the policy laid down for the police, does it apply to the men folk. It is not. So it is only issued to women police officers because of their gender as women and this is very much unconstitutional.
“Under Section 5(3) of the Police Act 2020, the Nigeria Police Force is charged with the responsibility of promoting and protecting the fundamental rights of all persons as guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“In view of the foregoing, you will agree with us that Section 127 of the Police Regulation which discriminates against police women is illegal and unconstitutional. In other words, since policemen who impregnate women before marriage are allowed to remain in the Nigeria Police Force. It is discriminatory and unjust to dismiss a police woman for getting pregnant before marriage.
“Finally, as it is indisputable that Corporal Omotola is entitled to freedom from discrimination guaranteed by Section 42 of the Constitution and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights we request you to use your good offices to order her reinstatement not later than January 31, 2021.”
The group further threatened to challenge the dismissal at the National Industrial Court and pray for the annulment of regulation 127 made pursuant to the Police Act, 2020, if their request is not granted.
