Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent lawyer, has openly criticized the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for disregarding a Supreme Court judgment in favor of a Federal High Court ruling regarding local government elections in Rivers State. Okonkwo, in his statement, called this action a violation of legal hierarchy, stressing that all authorities involved in the election, including the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), should have followed the Supreme Court’s directive. The Court had earlier mandated that local government elections must be conducted within 90 days.
Speaking during a live TV show, Okonkwo expressed his disappointment over Egbetokun’s decision, likening it to a situation where a junior officer disobeys the order of a senior officer. He argued that the supremacy of the Supreme Court’s rulings over lower courts should never be in question. According to Okonkwo, “The IG of Police going against the judgment of the Supreme Court because he is parading the judgment of a High Court is blasphemy.”
Okonkwo further elaborated his analogy by saying that if the IGP were to give an order to a police corporal, and that corporal chose to obey a conflicting directive from a lower-ranking officer instead, such behavior would never be tolerated within the force. “If the IG of Police gives an order, and a police corporal disobeys it because a commissioner of police gave a contrary order, the IG would not hesitate to take disciplinary action against that officer,” Okonkwo explained. He emphasized that the same principle applies to the judiciary, where the Supreme Court’s decisions must be upheld without exception.
In his remarks, Okonkwo underscored the importance of respecting the rule of law, particularly when it comes to electoral matters that directly affect democratic governance. “Every institution, including the police and INEC, must be held accountable to the highest legal authority, which is the Supreme Court,” he said. The lawyer warned that disregarding the Court’s judgments could lead to a breakdown of the legal framework that guides the country’s democratic processes.
Okonkwo’s comments come in the wake of widespread criticism against the handling of the Rivers State local government election, where some officials were accused of failing to conduct elections within the timeline set by the Supreme Court. Legal observers and political stakeholders have voiced concerns that the IGP’s reliance on a Federal High Court judgment undermines the integrity of the electoral system.
According to Okonkwo, the Supreme Court’s directive should have been the final word in the matter, and the IGP’s decision to act otherwise sends a dangerous message. “The actions of the IGP suggest that lower courts can override the Supreme Court, which is a complete distortion of justice,” Okonkwo stated.
The criticism has sparked debates among legal experts, with many agreeing with Okonkwo’s position that the Supreme Court’s authority should never be compromised. The legal community is now watching closely to see how the issue will be resolved, with some calling for stronger adherence to the rule of law in future electoral disputes. GMTNewsng
