The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has affirmed the reinstatement of 455 senior police officers who were controversially and forcibly retired in 2025, delivering a decisive blow to the Police Service Commission (PSC) in a protracted legal battle.
In a judgment delivered on April 14, 2026, the appellate court dismissed Appeal No. CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1829MI/2025 filed by the PSC against ACP Chinedu Ambrose Emengaha and eight others, thereby upholding the earlier ruling of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja Division.
The NICN, in its judgment delivered on September 30, 2025 by Hon. Justice R.B. Haastrup, had nullified the retirement of the officers, describing the action as unlawful and ordering their immediate reinstatement with full payment of salaries and allowances.
The appellate court’s decision effectively puts to rest the contentious issue surrounding the date of first appointment of Cadet ASP Courses 18, 19, and 20 graduates of the Nigeria Police Academy, which had formed the crux of the dispute.
Recall that on March 16, 2026, the Court of Appeal had struck out a separate appeal (No.CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CV/1620MI/2025) filed by the Inspector-General of Police and the Force Secretary, describing it as lacking merit.
The mass retirement, executed on January 31, 2025, by the PSC in conjunction with then Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had sparked widespread outrage within the Force.
Among those affected were senior officers including AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Ben Igwe, and DCP Simon Lough (SAN), among others.
Following the disputed action, the affected officers instituted legal proceedings in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025 (ACP Chinedu Ambrose Emengaha & 7 Ors vs. Police Service Commission & 2 Ors), challenging the legality of their retirement.
In granting all the reliefs sought, the NICN not only ordered their reinstatement but also restrained the PSC and the former IGP from further acts deemed unlawful in relation to the officers’ service.
Despite the subsisting judgment, both the PSC and the former IGP proceeded to file separate appeals. However, both appeals have now been decisively resolved against them.
The Court of Appeal panel, comprising Hon. Justice Okorowo, Hon. Justice Banjoko, and Hon. Justice Abang, delivered a unanimous decision, reinforcing the lower court’s verdict and bringing finality to the dispute.
The judgments have been widely described as a significant judicial rebuke of administrative over-reach and a reaffirmation of the rule of law within the Nigeria Police Force.
Concerned stakeholders have expressed optimism that the current Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, alongside the leadership of the PSC, will comply fully with the court’s directives.
They urged the authorities to act promptly in reinstating the affected officers and implementing all aspects of the judgment, noting that adherence would signal a departure from past controversies and a commitment to justice, and respect for court orders.
