The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed reports that a National Industrial Court ruling ordered the immediate reinstatement of 196 senior police officers allegedly dismissed over an age falsification scandal.
This clarification follows a publication by Sahara Reporters on October 2, 2025, titled “Court Orders IGP Egbetokun, PSC to Reinstate Owohunwa, Simon Lough, 194 Other Officers Sacked Over Age Falsification Scandal,” which claimed that the National Industrial Court in Abuja had ordered the reinstatement of officers from Cadet ASP Force Courses 18, 19, and 20. The report specifically mentioned top officers such as AIG Idowu Owohunwa, CP Benneth Igweh, and DCP Simon Lough (SAN).
In a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission noted that while it is aware of the judgment delivered on September 30, 2025, by Hon. Justice R.B. Haastrup in ACP Chinedu Ambrose Emengaha & Ors v. Police Service Commission & Ors (Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025), the ruling did not contain any directive ordering the reinstatement of the officers mentioned.
According to the PSC, the judgment primarily declared that the dates of first appointment of the affected officers, as contained in their appointment letters, could not be reviewed by the defendants. The Court further ruled that members of Cadet ASP (Force Entrants) of Courses 18, 19, and 20 who have not completed 35 years in service or attained the age of 60 should not be subjected to premature retirement. The ruling also set aside the Commission’s January 31, 2025 directive that had led to the retirement of some officers and issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the PSC and other defendants from further unlawful review of appointment dates or retirement of officers yet to reach the mandatory service conditions.
However, the Commission emphasized that nothing in the judgment specifically ordered the reinstatement of any officer as reported. “The public should note that the Commission is studying the judgment with a view to taking appropriate steps, including exercising its right to appeal,” the statement said.
The PSC also drew attention to a separate suit filed by AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Benneth Igweh, and DCP Simon Lough (Suit No. NICN/ABJ/88/2025), which is still pending before the same court and yet to be determined.
Reaffirming its commitment to lawful conduct, the PSC described itself as a responsible institution that upholds the rule of law and respects judicial authority. “The Commission will not do anything to disparage the sanctity of the judiciary,” Ani concluded.