By Ayodele Oni
Acting on a law that had already been repealed, the Nigeria Police Force has sacked an unmarried female corporal, Olajide Omolola, for getting pregnant.
This was contained in a police wireless message with reference number CJ:4161/EKS/IY/Vol.2/236, DTO:181330/01/2021 which was obtained by our correspondent.
The signal originated from the Department of Finance and Administration in Ado Ekiti and was addressed to the Divisional Police Officer at Iye Ekiti where Omolola is serving.
The signal stated that Omolola completed police training on April 24, 2020 and was attached to Iye Ekiti.
The Chief Financial Officer in Ekiti state command of the Nigerian Police, has been directed to relay the information of her dismissal to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to ensure that her salary is stopped.
“Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation against women police getting pregnant before marriage W/PC (woman corporal) Olajide Omolola passed out of Police Training School on 24/04/2020 attached to yours contravened above provisions.
“She stands dismissed from the Force. Dekit her. Retrieve police documents in her possession with immediate effect. O/C CFO Ekiti only. You are to relay signal to IPPIS Abuja for the stoppage of her salary with immediate effect.
“DECOMPOLS (deputy commissioners of police)/ACPOLS (assistant commissioners of police)/HODs/DPOs Ekiti State only. You are to lecture women police. Treat as very urgent.”
Investigations by our correspondent, however, showed that the aspect of the Police Act which is being relied on to justify the sacking of the policewoman has been repealed in the amended Police Act that was signed into law by the President Muhammadu Buhari, in September 2020.
Part of the old law which has been repealed also made it compulsory for policewomen to seek the permission of their superiors before getting married.
It is not known if she knew, but the Police strongly frowns at their female personnel who get pregnant so soon after recruitment.The feeling is that it is a waste of time and resources, seeing that she would not be able to do much work, from her 7th month of pregnancy, and would proceed on maternity leave thereafter.
