The Police Service Commission has clarified a recent court judgment regarding 190 police officers, stating that there’s no order for their reinstatement.
The Commission’s stance follows media reports suggesting that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria had ordered the immediate reinstatement of the officers from Cadet ASP Force Courses 18, 19, and 20, who were dismissed over alleged age falsification.
According to the PSC, the court’s judgment delivered on September 30, 2025, merely reaffirmed earlier court rulings and didn’t specifically direct the reinstatement of the officers. The Commission emphasized that it’s a responsible organization guided by the rule of law and won’t undermine the sanctity of the judiciary.
The PSC noted that some officers named in the media reports, including AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Benneth Igweh, and DCP Simon Lough, have a separate case pending before the National Industrial Court. The court’s judgment declared that the claimants’ dates of first appointment, as contained in their appointment letters, are not subject to review by the defendants.
The PSC’s directive on January 31, 2025, as it concerns Courses 18, 19, and 20, was set aside, excluding officers who have neither served 35 years nor attained 60 years of age. The Commission is currently studying the judgment and may exercise its right to appeal after due consideration.
The PSC reiterated its commitment to due process, stating, “The Commission is a responsible organization guided by the principle of obedience to the rule of law, and will not do anything to undermine the sanctity of the judiciary.”
