A group, Women Empowerment and Legal Aid, has written to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, seeking a reversal of the dismissal of an unmarried corporal in Ekiti State, Omotola Olajide, for getting pregnant.
The group threatened legal actions against the police if she was not recalled back to the force.
This was contained in a letter titled, ‘Request to Recall Dismissed Pregnant Police Officer’ which was signed by the Chairman of WELA, Mrs. Funmi Falana, on Thursday.
“Take notice that if our request is not granted, we shall challenge the dismissal of Mrs. Omotola at the National Industrial Court and pray for the annulment of Regulation 127 made pursuant to the Police Act, 2020,” the letter read.
The group noted that in justifying the discriminatory treatment meted out to Miss Omotola the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Abutu, said that “it was the Police Act Section 124 that was repealed by the court, not Section 127. Section 127 still stands.”
The letter further read, “In view of the foregoing, you will agree with us that Section 127 of the Police Regulation which discriminates against police women is illegal and unconstitutional. In other words, since policemen who impregnate women before marriage are allowed to remain in the Nigeria Police Force.
“It is discriminatory and unjust to dismiss a police woman for getting pregnant before marriage. Finally, as it is indisputable that Corporal Omotola is entitled to freedom from discrimination guaranteed by Section 42 of the Constitution and Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights we request you to use your good offices to order her reinstatement not later than January 31, 2021.”
