Six senior police officers accused of falsifying their ages and breaching service regulations have reported to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings. The officers in question are Idowu Owohunwa, Simon Lough (SAN), Benneth Igweh, Aina Emmanuel, Salama Wakili Abdul, and Adepoju Olugbenga. They were summoned to appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) after surpassing the mandatory retirement criteria of either 60 years of age or 35 years of service without stepping down.
As previously reported by Chronicles Reporters, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun mandated these officers to face the disciplinary panel at the Force Headquarters. The hearings are scheduled from Monday, February 10, to Thursday, February 13.
Earlier reports indicated that these officers had resisted retirement unless Inspector General Egbetokun, who has also exceeded his retirement age, retired alongside them. They contended that any actions taken by Egbetokun since his official retirement date on September 4, 2024, were invalid.
Upon their arrival at the police headquarters on Monday, the senior officers appeared subdued. Sources within the police force described the atmosphere as tense, with concerns about potential arrests. It was also revealed that Simon Lough and others allegedly forged documents to secure a judgment at the National Industrial Court.
On Sunday, it was reported that the senior officers interpreted the directive to appear before the disciplinary committee in their “working dress” as an acknowledgment by the police authorities that they remain active service members. They argued that if they were instructed to appear in uniform after purportedly being retired, it implied their continued service status.
Background information indicates that on Saturday, Inspector General Egbetokun ordered the senior officers who refused to retire to appear before a disciplinary committee. A police signal dated February 7, 2025, obtained by Chronicles Reporters, directed the officers to report to the FDC at the IGP’s Conference Hall, 7th floor, Force Headquarters, Abuja, from February 10 to 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM daily, in their clean working dress.
Previously, over 200 senior officers were reported to be refusing retirement despite allegations of falsifying their birth records, with some having served up to 44 years. This situation has led to tensions between Inspector General Egbetokun and Deputy Inspector General of the Federal Investigation Department, Dasuki Galandanchi.
Galandanchi is seeking a two-year extension, citing the precedent set by Egbetokun, who was granted an extension despite being due for retirement last year. He has expressed that if he must retire, Egbetokun should also step down.
On July 23, 2024, the Nigerian Senate passed a controversial amendment bill to extend Egbetokun’s tenure beyond September. The Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 aimed to amend the Police Act of 2020, with President Bola Tinubu proposing changes to the tenure of the Inspector General of Police.
On February 5, Inspector General Egbetokun directed the immediate retirement of senior police officers who had either exceeded the age of 60 or served for more than 35 years. This directive was outlined in a letter dated February 1, 2025, addressed to various senior police officials nationwide.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) had previously approved the immediate retirement of senior police officers who had surpassed 35 years in service or were above 60 years of age. The Commission’s decision was conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.
In a statement, PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, emphasized that the Commission approved the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.
The Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), presided over the extraordinary meeting, which also had in attendance Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Hon. Commissioner representing the Judiciary; DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), Hon. Commissioner representing the Police; and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.
The Commission’s decision has been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.
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