A Federal High Court in Abuja as dismissed a suit seeking to void the provision for the disengagement of policewomen who get pregnant out of wedlock.
The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, had approached the court after Ekiti State Command had in January 2021 sacked a female officer, Olajide Omolola, who got pregnant out of wedlock
The NBA said the police action violated constitutional rights against discrimination, but the judge disagreed.
Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit saying that sections 126 and 127 on the Nigeria Police Regulation stipulates the code of conduct for female officers before enlistment into the service.
Giving the verdict, Justice Ekwo said; “Any person who joins the force must abide by the regulation of the force or not join the force as there is no compulsion about its membership.
“It is my opinion that Regulation 127 of the NPFR is to be seen as a code of conduct for an unmarried woman police officer and to forewarn such officer on the consequence of becoming pregnant while being unmarried in the force.
“However, the regulation provides for a remedy after such officer has been discharged from the force, by stating that such officer can be relisted with the approval of the IGP”.
Regulation 126 of the NPR provides: “A married woman police officer, who is pregnant, may be granted maternal leave in accordance with the provisions of the general orders”.
Regulation 127 provides: “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”.
