Policewoman Sacked For Getting Pregnant

A Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti has fixed Oct. 6 for judgment in a suit filed by the Ekiti Government, challenging the compulsory discharge of an unmarried pregnant policewoman from the force.

The suit seeks the striking out of section 127 of the Police Act and Regulations which the state government argues is discriminatory and violates constitutional provisions.

Justice Babs Kuewumi fixed the date on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti after parties adopted their written addresses.

The News Agency of Nigeria,(NAN) reports that the Ekiti Attorney General has filed a suit with suit number: AD/CS/8/2021 seeking an order of the court to declare the action of Inspector-General of the Police,(IG) against Omolola Olajide, illegal.

NAN also reports that Olajide was discharged on Jan. 20 through the signal CJ/4161/EKS/SHQ Vol. 30/22 on the grounds that she was pregnant without being married.

The Police Counsel, CSP Femi Falade, while adopting his addresses, argued that the Attorney-General of the Federation was the proper person to be sued.

Falade argued that the Attorney-General of Ekiti lacked the “locus standi”, to institute the suit.

He also argued that the discharged constable had filed a similar suit at the National Industrial Court.

The respondent’s counsel also added that no pre-action notice was served on the Police Service Commission, which he said was mandatory.However, the Ekiti Attorney-General prayed the court to discountenance the submissions of the counsel to the police and uphold his prayers.