Confusion in Police force as court halts Senior officers’ retirement

A fresh legal dispute has thrown the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) into confusion as senior officers challenge their premature retirement in court.

This development has reportedly unsettled Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, who had planned to proceed with their retirement before a final court verdict.

The case, Suit No: NICN/ABJ/21M/2023, was filed at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Egong Egwu Egong, Edwin Okoro, and three others.

They sued the Police Service Commission (PSC) over what they described as an unfair and premature retirement process.

According to their legal counsel, Adeleke Agbola (SAN), the PSC’s calculation of service years is based on the officers’ initial entry into the police force rather than their entry into the Police Academy. This interpretation, they argue, has led to early retirements that violate their rights.

Despite the ongoing case, IGP Egbetokun had reportedly intended to proceed with the officers’ retirement.

This unexpected legal development has thrown the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force into confusion, as it temporarily halts the planned retirements.

The Industrial Court had previously ruled that police officers’ years of service should be counted from their entry into the academy. Since no appeal was filed against this judgment, the ruling remains legally binding.

Agbola, the claimants’ lawyer, urged the court to ensure that the status quo is maintained until the case is fully resolved.

“The judgment of the court is that the date is when the policemen got into the Academy. There is no appeal against the judgment.

I urge the court that status quo be maintained pending the hearing of this committal proceeding to determine if there has been a breach.”

The PSC’s lawyer, Ade Adedeji (SAN), assured the court that the commission is complying with the ruling. He confirmed that the contentious circular affecting retirement calculations does not apply to the claimants.

“We have taken steps to obey the court’s judgment. The judgment is final, as there is no appeal. The circular has nothing to do with the claimants.”

With no appeal challenging the Industrial Court’s ruling, the police force must now pause all retirement plans for the affected officers.