Court Blocks Reinstatement of Retired Police Officers

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja has issued an interim injunction on September 22, 2026, restraining the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Police Service Commission from reinstating retired officers from Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police Courses 18, 19, and 20 of the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano. Justice Buhari Sani granted this order following an ex parte application by Advocacy for Human Rights and Cultural Values for Development Initiatives.

The case, Suit No. NICN/KN/51/2026, includes the Attorney-General of the Federation and other officials as defendants.

The affected officers, including Assistant Inspectors-General Idowu Owohunwa, Benneth Chinedu Igwe, Uche Ifeanyi Henry, Joseph O. Eribo, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon Asamber Lough, were previously retired due to disputes over their appointment dates.

The Police Service Commission had retired these officers on January 31, 2025, after they either completed 35 years of service or reached the age of 60. The NICN had previously ruled the mass retirement unlawful, ordering reinstatement, but the Commission's appeal was dismissed on April 14, 2026.

Following these rulings, the Nigeria Police Force began preparations for the officers' return to service.