Okocha, Agbakoba, Akaraiwe, others knock IGP over new dress code for female police officers

By Lillian Okenwa

“No administration can ever claim to have the best menu of choices. The dilemma is ever so present, especially in dealing with a multi-cultural, multi-religious, and multi-diverse society.  The best approach in these matters should be to limit dress regulations to those which engender professionalism and safety.” – Ibe Ikwechegh

Condemnations have continued to trail the introduction of a new dress code for female personnel of the Nigeria Police Force by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba.  

Former Chairman, Body of Benchers Chief OCJ Okocha, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN, onetime President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Mr. Ikeazor Akaraiwe, and others have weighed into the matter insisting that the IGP lacks powers to request female police officers to use a dress code other than that specified in police regulations.

While warning that religion is inching closer to taking over Nigeria’s public space they stressed that the Nigeria Police should be more concerned with professionalism and dealing with insecurity in the country.

In a chat with Law& Society Magazine, Chief Okocha, started off with the following questions: “What is a Dress Code if it is not to be compulsory, but optional? Will the wearing of Berets, Caps, and Helmets over scarves and other head coverings worn by women not appear awkward and comical?”

Giving more insight into the issue, the Ex- NBA President said: “My father was a Deputy Commissioner in the Nigeria Police at the time before the Nigeria/Biafra War. He told me, and I have since confirmed, that the UNIFORM is an essential aspect of the discipline of the Police, the Armed Forces; and even Primary and Secondary Schools.

“Even our Learned and Honourable Profession of Law, in which Discipline and Decorum are hallmarks, has adopted a Dress Code for its members. I personally hold the opinion that the Inspector-General of Police will need to reconsider his position. A strict dress code, as previously applied to the Police, should continue to be applied.”

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba maintains: “He absolutely has no powers to request female police officers to use a dress code other than that specified in police regulations; which is known as regulation issue dress code!!! I can’t understand the reason for this at all that the IGP will be interested in trivia when he has major challenges on his desk, especially on security.”

Ikeazor Akaraiwe, SAN said: “The police, like the military, is a uniformed service. So, I expect the police hierarchy to, from time to time, make regulations regarding a dress code as become expedient for the job of policing. However, to make a dress code based on religious lines is, but a major step in the agenda to give the religion from which that code emanates a central status above other religions. It is an evil portent. 

“If the hijab is to be worn by detectives who have the assignment of investigating crimes in predominantly Muslim areas, nothing wrong with that. And it will hardly require a major dress code intervention. It will just be an operational necessity. Further to the hijab matter, as religion inches closer to taking over the public space, the imperative of restructuring the federation to enable devolution of policing and other powers becomes imperative, so that the police of State ‘A’ may dress in Hijabs while the police in State ‘B’ dress in shorts, as informed by socio-cultural necessity or choice. We should have a –

“Federal Police – handling offences of 7 years and above. State Police – handling offences of 3 years to just under 7 years, and Local Government Police – handling offences of under 3 years. We should also have Federal, State and Local Government Correctional Centres.”

Earlier another SAN, Ebun Adegboruwa in a statement said the “new dress code of the Nigerian police is illegal, ultra vires and should be reversed.” Part of the statement read: “On March 4, 2022, the Inspector-General of Police purported to unveil a new dress code for the Nigeria Police Force, especially female officers, who are to be allowed to wear coverings or hijab, etc.

“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.”

Likewise, Ibe Ikwechegh, Lawyer, writer, and training consultant with Indent holds that: “Under the new dress code for Nigerian Police Women, the lady officers can wear headscarf which must be under their berets or peak cap. It is said that this will guarantee inclusiveness, gender mainstreaming, ethnic and religious diversity in the workplace.

“Integrating gender equality perspectives at all levels of policies and projects and having such integration features in our government policies ensure that the concerns, and aspirations of all gender, especially the women, are accounted for.  But all mainstreaming devices and policies have their constraints and challenges, ranging from wrong conceptualization, perfunctory approach, cultural resistance, resentment, and ill-informed gender analysis.

“We are aware that in most civilized states, female police officers must have their hair pulled back up off the shoulder and pinned down. In England, for instance, if the hair is longer than the collar, it must be secured in such a way that it is off the collar and cannot be grabbed or pulled.  It is clear that these regulations are rooting for professionalism and safety. It does not seem that the regulation or Rules under reference root for safety or professionalism. It roots for culture and religion.

“It may be a benign rule aimed at addressing religious or cultural concerns. If this is a religious accommodation, and we suspect that it is, then there would have been discrimination against those whose religious disposition to dressing has not been accepted. Would there also be any accommodation for such a people who may not compromise on their hairstyle or religious and cultural fashion?

“One may argue that such somewhat liberal attitude in the dress code for lady officers will rather than promote resentment, show them as part of the society with whom they share religious and cultural preferences. It is not out of place to see Texas State troopers kitted in cowboy hats. Establishing such cultural affinity with the people you police is a good gesture for endearment. Nonetheless, as long as this principle cannot be generally applied across board, the danger of resentment would still be latent.

“No administration can ever claim to have the best menu of choices. The dilemma is ever so present, especially in dealing with a multi-cultural, multi-religious, and multi-diverse society.  The best approach in these matters should be to limit dress regulations to those which engender professionalism and safety. Against this, there could scarcely be any disagreement.”