By Folorunsho Atta, Lagos
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has dismissed an appeal filed by the Police Service Commission (PSC), thereby affirming the reinstatement of 455 senior police officers who were controversially retired in 2025.
The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on April 14, 2026, held that the PSC’s appeal lacked merit. The judgment was delivered by a panel comprising Justices Okorowo, Banjoko, and Abang.
This ruling follows an earlier decision on March 16, 2026, in which the court struck out a separate appeal filed by the Inspector-General of Police and the Force Secretary, describing it as frivolous.
The dispute stems from the January 31, 2025 retirement of 455 senior officers by the PSC in conjunction with former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The action sparked widespread outrage within the force, with critics describing it as unlawful and arbitrary.
Among those affected were senior officers including AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Ben Igwe, and DCP Simon Lough (SAN).
Challenging their retirement, the officers approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which, on September 30, 2025, ruled in their favour. In its judgment, the court ordered their immediate reinstatement and directed that all outstanding salaries and allowances be paid.
The court also restrained the PSC and the former IGP from taking further steps to retire the affected officers unlawfully.
Rather than comply with the ruling, both the PSC and Egbetokun filed separate appeals. However, with both appeals now dismissed, the appellate court’s decisions have effectively resolved the dispute and reaffirmed the legitimacy of the officers’ claims.
Legal observers say the judgments have put to rest the contentious issue surrounding the date of first appointment of Cadet ASP Courses 18, 19, and 20 graduates of the Police Academy.
Reacting to the development, concerned stakeholders urged the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the PSC to comply fully with the court rulings.
They expressed optimism that the present police leadership would avoid the controversies associated with the previous administration and uphold the rule of law by reinstating the affected officers without further delay.
0 Comments