Good news as Police abolish law dismissing unmarried officers over pregnancy

The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force has scrapped its law directing the dismissal of unmarried pregnant officers who are still in service.

Speaking on Channels Television’s programme on Wednesday, Aishatu Baju, an Assistant Inspector General of Police disclosed that the discriminatory section of the Police Act which mandates the dismissal of unmarried female officers who get pregnant while still in the Force has been expunged.

Baju, who is currently the most senior female police officer in the force said, the section of the law – Section 127 of the Police Act – was expunged in line with ongoing reforms at the institution.

She said, “That section, along with any other part of the Police Act that discriminates against female officers, has been removed under the Police Act 2020.

“The Inspector General of Police has also introduced the Nigeria Police Gender Policy to ensure full inclusivity and equal opportunities for all officers,” Baju stated.

She also reassured the public that Nigeria Police Force is committed to eliminating gender-based discrimination and fostering a more inclusive institution for all personnel.

Recall that the section of the Police Act caused an outrage among citizens after corporal Omolola Olajide, was dismissed for getting pregnant while service in Ekiti command.

Following her dismissal, the Nigerian Bar Association filed a suit in court challenging the viability of such a law in the present-day policing.

However, the court upheld Olajide’s dismissal, ruling that the officer was aware of that section of the Act before joining the Force.

NBA further appealed the ruling of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over the matter. With this, the Appeal Court in May 2024, nullified Sections 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act, effectively putting an end to the policy.