455 RETIRED POLICE SET TO BE REINSTATED AS APPEAL COURT DISMISSES
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The NICN, in its judgment delivered on September 30, 2025 by Hon. Justice R.B. Haastrup, had nullified the retirement of the officers, describing the action as unlawful and ordering their immediate reinstatement with full payment of salaries and allowances.
The appellate court’s decision effectively puts to rest the contentious issue surrounding the date of first appointment of Cadet ASP Courses 18, 19, and 20 graduates of the Nigeria Police Academy, which had formed the crux of the dispute.
Recall that on March 16, 2026, the Court of Appeal had struck out a separate appeal (No.CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1620MI/2025) filed by the Inspector-General of Police and the Force Secretary, describing it as lacking merit.
The mass retirement, executed on January 31, 2025, by the PSC in conjunction with then Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had sparked widespread outrage within the Force.
Among those affected were senior officers including AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Ben Igwe, and DCP Simon Lough (SAN), among others.
Following the disputed action, the affected officers instituted legal proceedings in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025 (ACP Chinedu Ambrose Emengaha & 7 Ors vs. Police Service Commission & 2 Ors), challenging the legality of their retirement.
In granting all the reliefs sought, the NICN not only ordered their reinstatement but also restrained the PSC and the former IGP from further acts deemed unlawful in relation to the officers’ service.
Despite the subsisting judgment, both the PSC and the former IGP proceeded to file separate appeals. However, both appeals have now been decisively resolved against them.
The Court of Appeal panel, comprising Hon. Justice Okorowo, Hon. Justice Banjoko, and Hon. Justice Abang, delivered a unanimous decision, reinforcing the lower court’s verdict and bringing finality to the dispute.
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