In a sweeping legal action that could shake the foundation of Nigeria’s policing system, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a 14-count criminal charge against several high-ranking retired police officers over allegations of age falsification, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
The charges were filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, under suit number CR/353/25. Named as defendants are retired Assistant Inspector-General Idowu Owohunwa, former Commissioners of Police Benneth Igweh and Ukachi Peter Opara, as well as retired Deputy Commissioner Obo Ukam Obo and Assistant Commissioner Simon Lough (SAN). Several others alleged to be involved remain at large.
According to court documents, the accused—who were all force entrants into the Nigeria Police Force around 1999—allegedly forged police signals to falsify official records and manipulate their service years and retirement dates.
Among the key forged documents cited are signals DTO 221535/05/89 and DTO 261340/061/89, which were purportedly used in multiple court proceedings to mislead the National Industrial Court and secure favourable judgments against the Nigeria Police Force.
The charge alleges that these forged signals were presented as genuine in various lawsuits involving other officers, such as ACP Chinedu Ambrose Emengaha vs. PSC and ACP Sunday Okuguni vs. PSC, resulting in court decisions obtained under false pretences.
The accused are also charged with making false affidavits claiming they were still serving officers as recently as March 2025, despite having retired. These actions are said to contravene multiple provisions of the Penal Code, including Sections 97, 158, 161, 178, and 366.
The prosecution further claims that AIG Owohunwa falsified his date of birth, submitting a declaration that he was born on July 20, 1970, whereas investigations revealed otherwise. Similarly, CP Benneth Igweh is alleged to have altered his birth year from 1964 to 1968, while ACP Simon Lough purportedly changed his birth year from 1967 to 1969 in order to extend his service beyond the mandatory retirement threshold.
The charges include dishonestly benefiting from extended service time and unlawfully retaining privileges of office post-retirement—actions described as “cheating” under Nigerian law.
On March 6, 2025, the Force announced the compulsory retirement of seven senior officers, including Owohunwa and Lough, following the decisions of an extraordinary meeting of the Police Service Commission (PSC) on February 20.
Sources within the Force revealed that Owohunwa, previously AIG in charge of Zone 12, was seen as a potential successor to Egbetokun and therefore viewed as a threat. His failure to secure promotion to Deputy Inspector General reportedly paved the way for his early removal.
While Egbetokun has justified the mass retirements as necessary to uphold discipline and service rules, critics point to the IGP’s own continued stay in office beyond the retirement age of 60. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the IGP’s position was preserved through the intervention of First Lady Remi Tinubu, with whom he is reportedly close.
In February, internal police signals indicated that Egbetokun had begun replacing officers implicated in the scandal, many of whom—like Simon Lough and Benneth Igweh—were included on a list of 467 officers flagged for age falsification.
The ongoing prosecution is expected to test the credibility and transparency of internal disciplinary systems within the Nigeria Police Force. Legal experts warn that if the allegations are proven, the scandal could lead to a broader reckoning on institutional integrity, particularly concerning career advancement, judicial manipulation, and public accountability.
The High Court is yet to announce a hearing date.
