The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja, has restrained the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) from implementing the proposed reinstatement of retired officers from Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Courses 18, 19 and 20 of the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano.

Court Halts Reinstatement Of Retired Senior Police Officers

Justice Buhari Sani issued the interim order on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following an ex parte application filed by Advocacy for Human Rights and Cultural Values for Development Initiatives.

The court directed the parties to maintain the status quo that existed before the proposed reinstatement and restrained the police authorities and PSC from implementing, enforcing or giving effect to the reinstatement pending the determination of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.

The suit, marked NICN/KN/51/2026, also joined the Attorney-General of the Federation, Head of Service of the Federation and members and officers of the affected cadet courses as defendants.

The applicant argued that some of the affected officers had either completed 35 years in service or attained the mandatory retirement age of 60, citing provisions of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and the Public Service Rules 2021.

Among the officers affected by the order are Assistant Inspectors-General of Police Idowu Owohunwa, Benneth Chinedu Igwe, Uche Ifeanyi Henry and Joseph O. Eribo, as well as Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon Asamber Lough.

The dispute followed the PSC’s decision to retire officers who had exceeded 35 years in service or attained 60 years of age. The decision generated litigation over the proper calculation of the officers’ dates of first appointment.

In September 2025, the NICN declared the mass retirement unlawful and ordered the reinstatement of the affected officers with their salaries and allowances. The PSC appealed the judgment, but the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on April 14, 2026, affirming the industrial court’s decision.

Following the court decisions, the police commenced arrangements for the affected officers to return to service. A July 31, 2026 directive signed by the Force Secretary, AIG Bode Akinbamilowo, instructed the officers to report for a compulsory six-month induction programme at the Police Staff College, Jos.

The latest applicant argued that proceeding with the reinstatement despite the statutory retirement provisions could undermine the issues before the court. Justice Sani agreed that the circumstances warranted urgent intervention.

Relying on the Supreme Court decision in Kotoye v. C.B.N. (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt. 98) 419, the judge held that the balance of convenience favoured preserving the existing position pending the determination of the substantive issues.

The court consequently ordered the respondents to maintain the pre-reinstatement status quo and directed the applicant to serve the ruling, motion on notice and originating summons on the respondents within three days.

The case has been adjourned until September 30, 2026, for hearing of the interlocutory application.

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