A major standoff is unfolding within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as six senior officers, accused of falsifying their ages and violating service regulations, are resisting retirement.
In a dramatic twist, they are demanding that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun step down alongside them, arguing that he, too, has surpassed the official retirement age.
The officers—Idowu Owohunwa, Simon Lough (SAN), Benneth Igweh, Aina Emmanuel, Salama Wakili Abdul, and Adepoju Olugbenga—have refused to leave their positions, challenging the legitimacy of Egbetokun’s authority to enforce retirements while remaining in office himself.
Disciplinary Committee Summons and Defiance
In response, IGP Egbetokun directed the six officers, all of whom have either exceeded 60 years of age or served for more than 35 years, to appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja between February 10 and February 13, 2025.
Sources indicate that the disciplinary panel may impose severe penalties, including demotion or dismissal, if the officers fail to comply with retirement directives.
However, the officers are contesting the legality of Egbetokun’s decisions, arguing that his own retirement date was officially September 4, 2024. Since he continues to serve due to presidential and legislative intervention, they claim that all his decisions post-retirement—including issuing retirement notices to them—are null and void.
Legal and Procedural Challenges
A police source revealed that the officers have refused to acknowledge their retirement letters, citing the IGP’s own tenure extension as a contradiction.
“If he must retire them, he must also retire himself, as he has also exceeded the service limit. Every directive he has issued since September 4, 2024, including their retirement letters, is illegal.”
Adding to the tension, the officers have seized upon the directive requiring them to appear in full uniform for disciplinary proceedings, interpreting it as an official admission that they are still in active service.
“If he ordered them to report in uniform, then they are still in service, which contradicts the claim that they have been retired,” another source argued.
Wider Implications: Over 500 Officers Under Scrutiny
The controversy extends beyond these six officers. Reports indicate that nearly 500 police personnel have been implicated in age falsification and service regulation violations.
While some officers have chosen to retire quietly, others have resorted to legal action, filing cases at the National Industrial Court to challenge the retirement directive.
Despite the resistance, IGP Egbetokun issued a fresh directive on February 5, 2025, mandating the immediate retirement of all officers who had exceeded 35 years of service or turned 60 years old. This decision was reinforced by a ruling from the Police Service Commission (PSC) on January 31, 2025.
Legal Uncertainty and Future Implications
The ongoing standoff raises key questions about leadership accountability and service regulations within the Nigeria Police Force. If the contesting officers succeed in their legal arguments, it could set a precedent for future service extensions and challenges to the enforcement of police regulations.
For now, the battle between senior officers and the IGP remains unresolved, with potential legal and institutional ramifications for the entire force.
