The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, asking it to void the provision that police women who get pregnant out of wedlock should be fired.
Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit on the ground that it is contrary to regulations 126 and 127 of the Nigerian Police Regulations, NPR, which is pursuant to the Police Act.
Regulation 126 provides that a married woman police officer, who is pregnant, may be granted maternal leave in accordance with the provisions of the general orders, while Regulation 127 provides that 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.
The NBA, argued that Regulations 126 and 127 of the NPR, made pursuant to the Police Act, conflict with sections 37 and 42 of the Constitution, which upholds the fundamental rights of citizens.
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The NBA also said some of the provisions of the NPR conflict with the Constitution and discriminate against unmarried female police officers.
Making reference to the case of Omolola Olajide, a female police officer, who was sacked in Ekiti State on January 26, 2021 for being pregnant while unmarried, the NBA claimed, that the form of discrimination being promoted by Regulations 126 and 127 of the NPR, applies only to female unmarried members of the Nigeria Police Force.
It stated that male police officers and married female police officers in the Nigeria Police Force are not subjected to similar discrimination.
The NBA therefore urged the court to declare that all unmarried female police officers in the NPF are entitled to maternity leave and same facilities accorded, married female police officers.
They also prayed the court to strike down Regulations 126 and 127 of the NPR on the grounds that they are in conflict with sections 37 and 42 of the Constitution and are inconsistent with the provisions of the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
While delivering judgement, Justice Ekwo dismissed the suit stating that it lacked merit.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
