COURT TO DECIDE WITHIN ONE WEEK WHETHER TO TRANSFER IGP CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday said it would, within one week, determine whether to continue hearing contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over the alleged disobedience of its judgment in the case concerning the disappearance of John Chukwuemeka Anozie or transfer the matter to another judge.

Justice Binta Nyako disclosed this after expressing reservations about presiding over the contempt proceedings, citing her extensive involvement in the substantive suit.

When the matter came up, counsel to the judgment creditor, Vincent Adodo, apologised for the absence of his client and informed the court that the applicant was ready to proceed with the contempt application.

“We have filed an application to commit the respondent for contempt of court,” Adodo told the court.

Before the application could be heard, Justice Nyako said she had reflected on the matter and was considering transferring the contempt proceedings to another judge.

“I have been thinking about this matter, and I am of the opinion that I should send this case to one of my brother judges to take the contempt proceedings,” the judge said.

Explaining her position, she added, “I feel I have been so involved in the matter.”

Responding, Adodo said the applicant had no objection to the proposed transfer.

“We are comfortable with it, My Lord,” he said.

Justice Nyako thereafter stated that she would take one week to decide whether to retain the contempt proceedings or reassign them to another judge of the Federal High Court.

The applicant’s counsel also informed the court that there had been progress in efforts to recover the police investigation file at the centre of the dispute.

“They have found the case file,” Adodo said.

According to him, the respondents released the file to enable his legal team make photocopies before it was returned more than two weeks ago.

“The only thing they need to do is just to certify it,” he added, noting that no further action had been taken since then.

Acknowledging the development, Justice Nyako remarked, “At least something is happening.”

Adodo thanked the court, saying its intervention had made “a very significant impact” in advancing the matter.

The contempt proceedings stem from a judgment delivered on September 24, 2025, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025, in which the court granted reliefs sought by Mrs. Nnenna Anozie over the police handling of the 2017 abduction and disappearance of her husband, John Chukwuemeka Anozie.

In the judgment, the court ordered the Inspector-General of Police to release police investigation reports relating to the disappearance, including the 2017 X-Squad investigation report and the legal opinion of the Police Legal Department.

The court also directed the IGP to forward the investigation file to the Attorney-General of the Federation and hand over police officers found culpable for prosecution.

Justice Nyako further awarded ₦2 million in damages against the IGP for refusing to grant access to information requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Following the applicant’s allegation that the police authorities failed to fully comply with the judgment, contempt proceedings were initiated against the Inspector-General of Police.

The court is expected to announce next week whether the contempt application will remain before Justice Nyako or be reassigned to another judge.