Police new hijab wear unconstitutional, says Adegboruwa

Lagos-based lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, has described as illegal the new dress code introduced by the Nigeria Police for female police officers

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi had in a statement on Friday, said Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, approved the use of hijab for female police officers.

Reacting via a statement he posted on his Facebook page, Adegboruwa said the IGP was “not competent to use the platform of his office to enforce religion”.

According to him, the IGP’s actions contravened sections 10 and 42 of the Constitution.

“The religion of public officers, including members of the security agencies, should be a private matter to them. The Inspector-General of Police is not competent to use the platform of his office to enforce religion.

“Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates that government and all its agencies should be neutral in religious matters.

“Section 42 of the same Constitution prohibits discrimination in all its ramifications. In this regard, there will be no end to confusion attending the new dress code prescribed by the IGP,” the learned silk said.

He added that the new dress code was discriminatory against officers who practice other religions.

“What will be the official uniform for police women who are in the Catholic Church?

“How should policemen and women who are in the Celestial Church dress up when the practice of their church is against wearing shoes at all?

“And how should traditionalists who are in the police force dress up, with charms and amulets round their uniforms?

“The Nigeria Police has existed as an institution since 1945 and it is strange that of all the issues confronting that agency, such as low morale, poor welfare, poor infrastructure, poor training, poor welfare, etc, religious adornment should be the priority of the Inspector-General of Police,” he added.