The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for Zone 12, Bauchi State, Idowu Owohunwa, and the Head of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Legal Unit, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Simon Lough, have refused to retire despite being implicated in an age falsification scandal.
According to sources at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, both officers remain in active service, defying official directives to step down. This comes after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the retirement and redeployment of senior officers found guilty of age falsification, forgery, and violating service regulations.
Advanced Legal Opinion Writing for Lawyers: NBA-ICLE Accredited Training
Mass Retirement of Senior Officers
The scandal follows the recent retirement of seven Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), including:
- Dasuki Galandanchi
- Ali Ari Muhammed
- Rhoda Adetutu Olofu
- Jonathan Towuru (South-South Geopolitical Zone Representative)
- Suleiman Yusuf
- Banji Lawal Badru
- Bala Ciroma
These senior officers were forced to leave after failing to secure service extensions. Their replacements are expected to be announced by the Police Service Commission (PSC).
DCP Simon Lough’s Defiance
Despite the retirement directive, Simon Lough, SAN, continues to represent the police in legal proceedings. On February 25th and 26th, 2025, he appeared at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja during a case involving a $4.6 million debt linked to Lionstone Offshore Services Limited and its executives.
Records show that Lough should have retired on January 8, 2022, based on his enlistment date. However, he remains in office, continuing to serve as the Head of the NPF Legal Unit and appearing as the prosecution counsel.
Widespread Falsification in the Force
The age falsification scandal involves 467 Nigerian police officers across various cadet courses who allegedly manipulated their records to exceed the mandatory 35 years of service or age 60.
Key implicated officers include:
- Simon Lough, SAN
- Benneth Igweh
- Other senior officers across 18 cadet courses
While some officers have quietly retired, others—like Owohunwa and Lough—continue to serve despite the IGP’s directive.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong criticized the continued service of officers beyond their legal tenure. He stated that their ongoing participation is both illegal and unethical:
“If Lough has reached the compulsory retirement age and is still appearing for the police, it is not only illegal but unethical. His capacity to represent the police is contingent on him being an active officer. The IGP must enforce the law and disengage officers who are serving illegally.”
Effiong further emphasized that these officers should refund any salaries and allowances received after surpassing their retirement age.
Disciplinary Action Pending
The IGP has ordered that senior officers refusing retirement must face a disciplinary panel. However, no final decision has been publicly disclosed. Legal experts continue to call for immediate action to uphold the integrity of the police force and ensure compliance with service regulations.