Why AIG Owohunwa, CP Igwe, 192 Officers Can’t Be Reinstated —PSC

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday explained why AIG Idowu Owohunwa, CP Benneth Igwe, DCP Simon Lough, and 191 other officers who were retired over alleged age falsification may not be reinstated.

This came after the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, ordered the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to immediately reinstate the 196 officers from Cadet ASP Force Courses 18, 19 and 20, following the February 2025 scandal.

The officers challenged their forced retirement from the police force despite neither completing 35 years of service nor reaching the mandatory age of 60.

The suit cited a March 4, 2025, video and a memo, which directed the immediate retirement of certain senior officers over an age falsification scandal, which the officers consistently denied.

Responding in a statement, the PSC spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, acknowledged the judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria between ACP Chinedu Ambrose Emengaha and the Police Service Commission in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025.

The judgement reads: “1. It is hereby declared that the date of first appointment into the service of the Claimants, as contained in their respective appointment letters are not subject to a review by the Defendants.

“2. It is also declared that the members of Cadet ASP (Force Entrants) of Courses 18, 19, and 20 who are yet to serve 35 years of pensionable service or have not attained the age of 60 years, are by virtue of the said judgment of the National Industrial Court delivered by Hon. Justice O.O Oyewunmi in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/345/2019 – ACP Ambrose Emengaha and ORS V. Police Service Commission and 2 ORS, and NICN/ABJ/353/20219 – CSP SUNDAY Okuguni and ORS V. Police Service Commission and 2 ORS, excluded from the decision of the 1st Defendant at her first extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held on 31st January 2025, approving the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent 35 years in service or above 60 years in age.

“3. A declaration is made stating that by virtue of the said judgments of the National Industrial Court affirming the date of appointment of the Claimants as Cadet Officers as a fresh appointment, the said appointment is not a merger of service.

“4. It is hereby declared that the Defendants cannot by any decision, set aside the valid and subsisting judgments of this Court delivered by Hon. Justice O.O Oyewunmi in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/345/2019 – ACP Ambrose Emengaha and ORS V. Police Service Commission and 2 ORS, and NICN/ABJ/353/20219 – CSP Sunday Okuguni and ORS V. Police Service Commission and 2 ORS, same having been implemented by the Defendants since 29th July 2021.

“5. An Order is made setting aside the 1st Defendant’s directive to the 2nd and 3rd Defendants contained in the press release of 31st January 2025, as it concerns Courses 18, 19, and 20 Force Entrants.

“6. An Order of perpetual injunction is also made restraining the Defendants jointly and severally from unlawfully and illegally reviewing the issue of dates of appointment of Cadet ASPs of Force Entrants Courses 18, 19, and 20 already settled by the Judgments of the National Industrial Court.

“7. An Order of perpetual injunction is also made restraining the Defendants jointly and severally from unlawfully and illegally retiring any member of Force Entrants Courses 18, 19, and 20 who have not attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.”

Ani noted that “nothing in the above decision of the court specifically orders the reinstatement of the officers as alleged by the Sahara Reporters, or specifically mentions any other officer.”

He added, “The public should note further that the Commission is studying the decision of the Court with a view to taking appropriate steps, including exercising its right to appeal.

Furthermore, the Commission notes with much concern that the officers specifically referred to in the Sahara Reporters news filed a separate suit before the same court, that is: AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Benneth Igwe, DCP Simon Lough VS Police Service Commission AND 7 ORS with Suit No. NICN/ABJ/88/2025, is challenging their retirement from the Nigeria Police Force, which is awaiting the attention of the Court.

It is important to conclude this Statement by restating that the Commission is a responsible organization with one of its cardinal principles as ‘obedience to the rule of law’, and it will not do anything to disparage the sanctity of the judiciary.”