Author: Gist Correspondent

The Federal High Court in Lagos has initiated contempt proceedings against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged willful disobedience of a subsisting court order.

Justice Alexander Owoeye ordered that Forms 48 and 49 be issued and served on the IGP, a procedural step that formally warns of contempt and requires him to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for failing to comply with the court’s directive.

The order followed the hearing of an ex parte motion filed by counsel to a Lagos businesswoman, Mrs. Mabel Alabijah Hussein, Mr. Kola Sodiya.

In his ruling, Justice Owoeye acknowledged the practical difficulty of effecting personal service on the nation’s chief law enforcement officer and therefore granted leave for substituted service.

The court directed that the contempt processes be served on the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Legal Department at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, on behalf of the IGP.

The contempt application arises from a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1468/2025, in which the court, on October 9, 2025, granted an interim order restraining the IGP and eight other respondents from taking further action against the applicant.

Other respondents in the matter include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), senior police officers and Citadel Views Gardens and Estates Limited.

Justice Owoeye had expressly ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement suit.

The applicant is now alleging that the IGP and other respondents acted in defiance of the court order, prompting the move to commence contempt proceedings.

The matter has been adjourned to a date to be fixed for further proceedings.