A Federal High Court in Abuja has warned that it may direct the Chief of Army Staff to arrest Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun if he continues to disobey a standing court judgement.
Justice Binta Nyako issued the threat during contempt proceedings on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in a case brought by Nnenna Anozie, whose husband, John Anozie, was abducted by operatives of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos in 2017.
The judge gave the IGP two options: allow the contempt process to proceed fully or meet with the parties in her chambers to explore an amicable resolution.
The matter centres on repeated non-compliance with multiple court orders directing the Nigeria Police Force to produce the implicated officers and relevant case files. Despite these rulings, the police have failed to comply.
Counsel to Mrs. Anozie, Vincent Adodo, told the court that the IGP had ignored the service of Forms 48 and 49—the formal instruments initiating contempt proceedings—and urged the court to hold him accountable.
Representing the IGP, Stanley Nwodo cited confusion over the identities of the officers involved. Justice Nyako rejected the explanation, stressing that the court’s orders must be obeyed regardless.
She pointedly noted that if the police proved unwilling or unable to effect an arrest themselves, she would not hesitate to order the Nigerian Army to carry out the directive.
The judge emphasised that the goal was resolution rather than punishment, stating: “We are not having a case; we are proffering a solution.”
Both legal teams agreed to the proposed meeting in chambers. The court adjourned the matter to April 23, 2026, to allow time for discussions and possible settlement.
The officers named in connection with the 2017 abduction include Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu, Uzochukwu Emeana, John Eze (aka T Boy), and Sunday Okpe—some of whom have since retired from the force.
Mrs. Anozie has pursued justice for her missing husband for over eight years through various court proceedings and judicial panels of inquiry, yet the police have consistently failed to produce the suspects or relevant documents.
The case underscores longstanding allegations of impunity and non-compliance by security agencies with judicial orders, a pattern that helped fuel the nationwide #EndSARS protests in 2020 following widespread reports of abuses by the SARS unit.
