NBA Scores Victory As Court Declares Dismissal Of Unmarried Pregnant Police Officers Illegal
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has rendered Regulations 126 and 127 of the Nigerian Police, which permit the dismissal of unmarried policewomen for pregnancy during service, illegal.
In a unanimous decision, the three-man panel of the court, comprising Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, Justice Bukola Banjoko, and Justice Okon Abang, ruled against the regulations. Justice Oyewole delivered the lead judgment, which called for a comprehensive review of Police Regulations to align with modern societal standards under the rule of law.
The judgment stemmed from a suit filed by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) challenging discriminatory practices within the Nigerian Police Force. Initiated on February 15, 2021, the legal battle escalated after Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed the NBA’s claims on February 21, 2022.
Undeterred, the NBA pursued an appeal, filing a Notice on March 15, 2022, with six grounds. The Court of Appeal’s ruling overturned the Federal High Court’s decision, deeming Regulations 126 and 127 as violative of female officers’ privacy and discriminatory based on gender.
Justice Oyewole emphasized that gender-neutral regulations are imperative in a democratic society governed by the rule of law, rejecting the notion that female officers require special regulation for morality and discipline.
The court’s verdict marks a significant victory for gender equality and human rights within the Nigerian Police Force, reflecting the NBA’s commitment to upholding justice and fairness.
