Court Strikes Down Police Regulations Allowing Dismissal Of Pregnant Unmarried Officers

• The Court of Appeal rules against dismissing unmarried pregnant policewomen

• It declares Regulations 126 and 127 of Nigerian Police Regulations unconstitutional

• The court directs comprehensive review of Police Regulations for compliance

Eko Hot Blog reports that in a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal in Abuja strikes down Regulations 126 and 127 of the Nigerian Police Regulations, which permitted the dismissal of unmarried policewomen who become pregnant while in service.

Editor’s Pick

• Admiring President Bola Tinubu’s Exemplary Leadership
• Cyriel Dessers Celebrates Milestone Goal, Wants More
• Oparanozie Urges NFF To Extend Care To Female Players

The court unanimously holds that these regulations interfere with the privacy and discriminate against female officers based on their gender.

“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 a gender bias,” Justice Olubunmi Oyewole states in the lead judgment. “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.”

Furthermore, the court directs the Attorney General of the Federation, the Police Service Commission, and the Nigerian Police Force to conduct a thorough review of the entire Police Regulations.

This review aims to ensure compliance with the requirements of a modern society governed by the rule of law.

Further Reading:

• Ighodalo Denies Role In Shaibu’s Impeachment, Calls Allegation Spurious
• Bella Shmurda Opens Up On The Side Effects Of Smoking Weed
• Oyo LG Election: APC Raises Alarm, Threatens To Withdraw Candidates Over BVAS Controversy

“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,” Justice Oyewole emphasizes.

The legal dispute originates from a lawsuit filed by the incorporated trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in 2021, challenging the discriminatory practices within the Nigerian Police Force.

Click here to watch video of the week