Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos has moved to initiate contempt proceedings against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun over alleged willful disobedience of an existing court order.

The court specifically ordered that the IGP be served with Forms 48 and 49. These legal documents act as a formal notice of potential consequences and a “show cause” directive, requiring the police chief to explain why he should not be committed to prison for defying judicial directives.

The decision followed an ex parte motion filed by Kola Sodiya on behalf of Lagos businesswoman Mrs. Mabel Alabijah Hussein.

Acknowledging the difficulty of personally serving the nation’s top police officer, Justice Owoeye ruled that the contempt proceedings be served through substituted means.

Accordingly, the documents are to be delivered to the Commissioner of Police, Legal Department, at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja.

The legal dispute, marked FHC/L/CS/1468/2025, arises from an earlier order granted on October 9, 2025. At that time, the court restrained the IGP and eight other respondents—including the EFCC, senior police officers, and Citadel Views Gardens and Estates Limited—from taking any further action against the applicant.

The court explicitly directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the fundamental rights application. (Nigerian Tribune)

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