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Court Declares Police Regulation On Unmarried Pregnant Female Officers Discriminatory, Illegal

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The National Industrial Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has struck out the regulation of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, prohibiting unmarried female personnel from getting pregnant for being inconsistent with Section 42 of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution (as amended) and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights which abolishes discrimination based on gender.

In a landmark judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Dashe Damulak also held that the claimant, Miss Omolola Olajide, has a right to challenge the constitutionality of Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation 127 thereof.

Recall that Miss Olajide of the Ekiti State Police Command was dismissed on the 26th of January 2021 by the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for getting pregnant while single.

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She proceeded to court through her lawyer, Funmi Falana, to challenge her dismissal on the grounds that the police authorities had discriminated against her since her male counterparts were not dismissed in similar circumstances.

Olajide, in the suit filed, listed the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission and the NPF as defendants.

In a 14-page judgment delivered, the Justice held that “the Court accordingly, find and holds that the provision of Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation 127 thereof, which applies to unmarried police women getting pregnant while in service but does not apply to unmarried policemen impregnating females while they are in the same service, are discriminatory against unmarried women officers by Section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, if any law is inconsistent with the provision of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of its inconsistency be void.

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READ ALSO: Unmarried Cop Sacked For Getting Pregnant Gets N5m Damages

“For the avoidance of doubt, the case of the Claimant succeeds in part only in terms of prayer B, which is a Declaration that the provision of Regulation 127 and section 127 of the Police Act, which is against unmarried females police officers getting pregnant before marriage but does not apply to males police officers impregnating women before marriage is discriminatory, unconstitutional and illegal as it violates the Claimant’s Fundamental Right under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. And the said provision is hereby declared null and void and struck down.”

The court, however, refused Olajide’s application to be reinstated.

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The court also agreed with the police counsel, Tolu Abisagbo, that Olajide was employed on probation at the time of her dismissal, and she could, therefore, not be reinstated.

The Judge held that “as a probationary staff, Olajide is not yet clothed with the garb of statutory protection. So for being wrongfully denied a lifetime opportunity of serving in the Police Force and cannot be reinstated, she is entitled to aggravate and punitive damages assessed at N5 million.”

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Edo Expresses Commitment To Ease Of Doing Business

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The Edo State government has expressed commitment to providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, gave the assurance after a closed door meeting with representatives of Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited, NewCross Exploration and Production Limited in Benin.

The deputy governor, who served as chairman of the state boundary committee, noted that this is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the SHINE Agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

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Idahosa, who said “it is part of the state’s strategy to create employment opportunities,” pointed out that it is in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo economic drive to turn the state into an investor friendly one.

READ ALSO:2027: I Will Resign If Tinubu Loses In Edo – Governor Okpebholo

He also emphasised meed to resolve the lingering disputes, saying the boundary committee is proactively looking into and settling areas of concern regarding the issue.

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All communities that are in the boundary line between Edo and Delta States where there are communal disputes, we want to assure them that we are doing everything within our power, using diplomatic and democratic means to make sure this is resolved amicably,” he assured.

The deputy governor noted that under the SHINE Agenda of this administration, much has been done in the area of infrastructural development.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s One Year Performance Outshines Some governors’ 8 Yrs, Says Idahosa

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This has made it possible to access roads to major companies, communities, and, ensuring the security of life and properties across the state by investing aggressively in security,” he stated.

On the outcome of the robust interface with the oil workers, Idahosa said through deliberations at the meeting, both parties successfully forged a headway.

He said this has resorted to the invitation of the Edo State Boundary Committee for an on the spot inspection of operation sites in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

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He called on investors and multinational companies operating in Edo State to go about their businesses with ease as the Okpebholo led administration is investment friendly.

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Imansuangbon Donates To Benin IDPs, Charges Wealthy Nigerians To Advance Humanity

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Politician and philanthropist, Barr. Kenneth Imansuangbon on Wednesday charged political office holders and well-to-do Nigerians to use their position and wealth to advance humanity.

Imansuangbon gave the charge when he visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)housed by Home for the Needy Foundation, Benin, where he donated food items, drinks, cash, toiletries, etc to the children and women as part of his Christmas gifts to them.

Recall that last month the IDPs lamented hardship caused by the economic situation of the country, saying due to the economic hardship, a single meal where they used to cook 15 bags of rice has been reduced to 5.

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Rising to the occasion, the philanthropist said his love for humanity and in accordance with the teaching of the Holy Book drove him to give to the needy annually, adding that he has been doing it for the past 20 years.

READ ALSO:Tragedy For Borno IDPs As Fire Guts 200 Houses

Imansuangbon, who expressed displeasure over the current happenings in the country, said: “If the country is really working we will not find ourselves in this kind of situation. This is an embarrassment to the giant of Africa.”

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“If we teach ourselves love and humanity, then the country will be safer and better for everyone

“We are just a tool in the hand of God Almighty. Anywhere God has placed you, use it to advance humanity. You are in government? Get it at the back of your mind that you are not the first person to occupy the position, and you are not going to be the last.

“The way our country is today, I am not satisfied, this goes beyond Mr. President or the Senators, it is about realising that We all need to save our country. If the country is really working, we will not find ourselves in this kind of situation. This is an embarrassment to the giant of Africa.”

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READ ALSO:Imansuangbon Donates Food Items IDP In Edo, Sues For Honour For Humanitarian Workers

Imansuangbon, who is the proprietor of Pacesetter School, Abuja, expressed gratitude to students, staff members and parents of the school, saying the donations were from them.

“I’m here in Benin with the half of their donation. The children donated ₦1.5m cash, and I am here with the money. You can see these 70 bags of rice, 100 bags of noodles, bags of cane drinks, water, toiletry, etc, are from them. I am grateful to them for doing this for the past 20 years.”

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He, therefore, appealed to Governor Monday Okpehbolo to extend the hand of fellowship to the IDPs particularly on Christmas day.

Responding, coordinator of the camp, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, while appreciating the donor, said: “He does this regularly not because he is a politician but because of his love for humanity. He is one of the few that comes here anytime, not an electioneering period alone, but anytime we are in need. He has been showing his love for the children for years, so I thank him.”

Folorunsho used the occasion to appeal to well-to-do Nigerians to come and assist the IDPs, stressing that until Imansuangbon came they (IDPs) had nothing to “eat for today.”

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27-year-old Man Dies Inside Deep Well In Ogbomoso

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The corpse of a 27-year-old man identified as Alagbe Gbemisoye has been recovered from a deep well at Ire-Akari, Adeniran area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

His body was retrieved by officials of the Oyo State Fire Service after passersby alerted them to the incident.

The circumstances that led to the deceased falling into the well were still unclear as of the time of filing this report.

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The Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reforms and Chairman, Fire Services, Moroof Akinwande, said his men were alerted by a running caller and Mr Ajayi Olayemi.

READ ALSO:Oyo: Properties Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Ravages Residential Buildings

“Fire personnel led by CFM Oladejo promptly deployed to the scene. On arrival, it was discovered that a man of about 27 years old, named Alagbe Gbemisoye, had fallen into a deep well. His body was recovered and handed over to the DPO, Owode Police Station,” he said.

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Akinwande urged the public to always observe safety precautions in their daily activities and emphasised the importance of having fire extinguishers in their homes to prevent fire incidents.

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