Court Orders Contempt Notice On Police CSP For Disobeying Judgment

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos has taken a new step in the contempt proceedings against a senior police officer, CSP Taofeek Tijani, by granting permission for court processes to be served on him through substituted means for allegedly disobeying a court judgment.

Justice Owoeye gave the order that the contempt notice (Form 49) be served on the officer through the Office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police or the Legal Unit of the Zone II Command, Onikan, Lagos, and instructed the court bailiff to effect service through official police channels.

The court’s decision paves the way for CSP Tijani to appear before it and explain why he should not be committed to prison for allegedly violating a court order.

The contempt proceedings stem from Suit No. FHC/CS/1003/24 filed by High Chief Shakiru Adams, Chiefs Abu Lawal Bankole, Ibrahim Sanni and Kamoru Oluwole Bakare against the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone II, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CSP Taofeek Tijani, Inspector Ajakaye, Alhaja Sherifat Abolarinwa and Habeeb Abolarinwa.

Justice Owoeye had, in a judgment delivered on 24 July 2025, restrained the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone II Command, and CSP Tijani from arresting or prosecuting the judgment creditors and any other persons pending the final determination of the underlying land dispute in Suit No. ID/1450LMW/2023 before Justice Savage of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

The claimants subsequently accused CSP Tijani of acting in defiance of the current court order, prompting the commencement of contempt proceedings against him.

In the latest ruling, the court held that substituted service was necessary and directed that the processes be served through the Office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police or the Legal Unit of Zone II Command, Onikan.

The matter was adjourned until 13 July 2026, for a report of service to enable the court to verify compliance with its order before proceeding with the contempt case.