The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has initiated a 14-count criminal prosecution against several high-ranking retired officers of the Nigeria Police Force for alleged forgery, age falsification, and conspiracy.
The case, filed under suit number CR/353/25 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, names prominent figures including retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Idowu Owohunwa, retired Commissioners of Police Benneth Igweh and Ukachi Peter Opara, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Obo Ukam Obo, and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Lough as defendants. Additional suspects are reportedly still at large.
The charges stem from allegations that the defendants manipulated their official service records by forging police signals, particularly documents such as Signal No. DTO 221535/05/89 and DTO 261340/061/89, purportedly issued to the Police Academy.
These falsified documents were allegedly used to gain favorable judgments in various industrial court cases and to extend their tenure in service unlawfully.
The court filing states that the officers enlisted in the force around 1999 but later altered records to misrepresent their ages and dates of enlistment. They are accused of conspiracy, forgery, cheating, and fraudulent deposition, all punishable under various sections of the Penal Code.
A particularly damning charge alleges that Owohunwa and Lough, among others, falsely claimed in a 2025 affidavit to still be serving officers, despite having retired.
They also reportedly attached the forged signals to their court case (NICN/ABJ/88/2025) to mislead the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and secure favorable rulings against the Police Service Commission.
READ ALSO: IGP issues fresh warning against unlawful detentions
The document also outlines how these falsified records were used in multiple other court proceedings, involving officers from courses 20 to 35 of the Police Academy.
The fraudulent documents enabled them to remain in service and benefit from salaries and privileges long after their rightful retirement dates.
According to SaharaReporters, the development follows the March 2025 retirement of several top officers, including the indicted individuals. This followed a PSC directive enforcing retirement for officers who had either reached the age of 60 or served for 35 years.
SaharaReporters had previously revealed that IGP Egbetokun considered Owohunwa a major threat to his leadership, and his removal was reportedly facilitated by the PSC’s refusal to promote him to Deputy Inspector-General. Egbetokun allegedly secured his continued tenure through the intervention of First Lady Remi Tinubu, following internal pressures within the presidency.
There is growing controversy as critics question why IGP Egbetokun remains in office while enforcing stringent retirement measures on others. Some police insiders allege that Lough’s retirement was politically motivated, claiming he was targeted for opposing plans to block Owohunwa’s rise to IGP.
With over 467 officers previously named in age falsification investigations, the charges represent a broader crackdown on institutional misconduct within the police force.
SaharaReporters
