IGP Egbetokun files charges against retired police officers

DDM News

Several retired senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force have been formally charged with forgery, conspiracy, and falsification of records.

This sweeping legal move comes under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and represents one of the most high-profile internal crackdowns in recent history.

According to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), the police leadership filed a 14-count criminal charge at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.

The case, with suit number CR/353/25, names several former top-ranking officers as defendants.

Among those charged are former Assistant Inspector-General Idowu Owohunwa, ex-Commissioners Benneth Igweh and Ukachi Peter Opara, retired Deputy Commissioner Obo Ukam Obo, and former Assistant Commissioner Simon Lough (SAN).

Court filings allege that these officers, all enlisted around 1999, engaged in a coordinated conspiracy to manipulate official service documents.

Prosecutors claim the group forged police signals and altered records to falsify their ages and extend their service years beyond the legal retirement threshold.

One of the forged documents, Signal No. DTO 221535/05/89, allegedly originated from NIGPOL Admin Lagos and was fraudulently referenced in court proceedings.

The forged signal was purportedly addressed to the Police Academy in Kaduna, and used to mislead judicial authorities into issuing favorable rulings during labor disputes.

The charges include conspiracy, forgery, unlawful alteration of official records, and cheating, all under various sections of the Penal Code Law.

The accused officers are alleged to have misrepresented their date of birth and manipulated internal police systems to remain in office illegally.

On March 6, 2025, the Police Force officially confirmed the retirement of seven senior officers, including AIG Owohunwa and ACP Lough.

These retirements were mandated by the Police Service Commission (PSC), which cited violations of the 35-year maximum service rule and the age cap of 60.

Some of the accused officers are currently at large, while others are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks.

The development is part of a broader campaign within the police force to sanitize the ranks and enforce internal accountability.

Sources within the force suggest that the IGP’s actions are not purely disciplinary but also politically strategic.

There is growing speculation that IGP Egbetokun is using the purge to install loyalists and consolidate power at the top of the police hierarchy.

Despite the renewed focus on retirement compliance, questions persist over IGP Egbetokun’s own eligibility to remain in office.

Insiders allege that the IGP has surpassed the mandatory retirement age but has retained his position due to high-level political intervention.

According to multiple sources, First Lady Remi Tinubu played a pivotal role in shielding Egbetokun from being retired by the PSC.

The First Lady’s alleged involvement has sparked criticism and raised concerns over the independence of police leadership in Nigeria.

Analysts warn that selective enforcement of retirement rules could undermine public trust in the ongoing reforms.

Nevertheless, the IGP’s office has maintained that the legal action is grounded strictly in the pursuit of institutional discipline and integrity.

The latest charges continue a wave of investigations into forgery, identity fraud, and procedural violations within the Police Force.

Observers note that this is not the first time high-ranking officers have been accused of tampering with personal records to prolong their careers.

The accused will face trial in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code Law, and the outcome may set a precedent for future disciplinary action within the Force.

Law enforcement experts say this case underscores the urgent need for a complete overhaul of police administrative systems and recruitment databases.

Calls for digitalized, transparent personnel management have grown louder in recent years, following repeated cases of age falsification and fraudulent promotions.

Civil society groups are also demanding external oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse of internal procedures for personal gain.

Human rights advocates warn that unless disciplinary measures are applied uniformly, internal reforms may be viewed as politically motivated purges.

The Nigeria Police Force has yet to issue a public statement explaining why some accused officers have not been arrested or arraigned.

Legal experts argue that allowing some suspects to remain at large could compromise the credibility of the case.

The court proceedings are expected to draw national attention, with observers closely watching how the judiciary handles the weighty accusations.

Meanwhile, interest groups have raised concerns about the politicization of the police service and its potential implications for internal security.

As investigations deepen, the broader implications for civil service accountability and rule of law in Nigeria remain uncertain.

Legal resources related to the case are also available in print and e-book formats at buokorie.com/store.

DDM will continue to monitor developments surrounding the prosecution and its ripple effects on police reforms in Nigeria

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