From Haruna Tula – Abuja
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja, today adjourned the case between forced retired police officers and the Inspector-General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun and the Police Service Commission (PSC) on one side.
Justice R.B Haastrup of the National Industrial Court adjourned the case till next week Monday Me arch 17, 2025.
The SUPREME learnt that, the adjournment was necessitated by failure of lawyers to IGP Egbetokun and that of Force Secretary to appear in court today.
The SUPREME earlier this morning reported that, there was palpable apprehension in the police, especially at Force Headquarters (FHQ), Louis Edet House, Garki Abuja.
As a result of the anticipated ruling by the National Industrial Court (NIC) of Nigeria on the case of about 400 police officers compulsorily retired last month, February 2025.
Some of the affected officers, including Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Chibedu Ambrose Emengaha, and eight others, representing other officers had dragged the Inspector-General of the Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to the NIC.
The PSC on January 31st 2025, after an emergency Plenary, directed that all police officers who have served for 35 statutory years, or have attained the age of 60 years should retire with immediate effect.
Subsequently, names of about 400 police officers were compiled and were given letters of comoulsory retirement.
Not convinced by the PSc directive, the affected officers headed for the Industrial Court to seek redress.
The SUPREME learnt that, their arguments stem from a letter from PSC of October 2017 to the then IGP directing that the date of appointment as Assistant Superintended of Police (ASP) should be the date of entry into the NPF. The letter particularly referred to officers of courses 18 & 19 of the Police Academy.
We also reported that, the PSC and IGP Egbetokun may have a face off, if the court rules in favour of the aggrieved officers.
In addition, we reported, that, the IGP would have great challenge in reinstating the police officers, whose offices have been occupied by other officers.
We further reported that, the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would face financial challenges, if the court rules that the abrupt retirement was hasty, and therefore, caused the officers untold hardship, and, should be paid damages.
Some of the affected officers who spoke with The SUPREME this afternoon, on strict annonimity, noted that, absence of lawyers to the IGP and the Force Secretary were “delay tactics “.
They were optimistic that, the ruling would be in their favour.
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