In a shocking revelation, the Nigeria Police Force is set to quietly retire several high-ranking officers, including DCP Simon Asamber Lough (SAN), AIG Idowu Owohunwa, and others, following an extensive age falsification scandal.
Over 300 senior personnel have been implicated in the unethical practice of backdating their service records to extend their tenure beyond the official retirement age.
Simon Lough, Investigated for Alleged Record Backdating
The scandal involves prominent officers such as:
- DCP Simon Asamber Lough (SAN): Head of the NPF Legal Section.
- AIG Idowu Owohunwa: Head of INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB).
- AIG Abdul Yari: Accused of altering his retirement date multiple times.
- AIG Ben Igwe: Allegedly over 70 years old but still in service.
- CP Peter Ukachi Opara and CP Obo Obo Ukani: Also implicated in the scandal.
AIG Abdul Yari
The Investigation
The probe, ordered by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, was triggered by a memo dated January 13, 2025, signed by AIG Olofu Rhoda, the Force Secretary.
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The memo revealed that these officers had manipulated their service records to delay retirement, violating Nigeria’s Public Service Rules, which mandate retirement at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service.
Quiet Retirement and Repayment
Sources indicate that the implicated officers, including Lough and Owohunwa, will be quietly retired to avoid public scrutiny.
Additionally, they will be required to repay salaries received for the years they served beyond their official retirement dates. AIG Abdul Yari, however, faces demotion to Superintendent of Police (SP) as part of the disciplinary action.
Background of the Scandal
- Simon Lough: Enlisted in 1987, Lough was due to retire in 2022 but allegedly altered his records to remain in service.
- AIG Abdul Yari: Accused of shifting his retirement date from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 202?
CP Peter Ukachi Opara