In a dramatic development that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s security establishment, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a 14-count criminal charge against five retired senior police officers over alleged age falsification, forgery, and conspiracy to defraud the federal government.
The accused, all once respected figures in the Nigerian Police Force, include Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd), Commissioners of Police Benneth Igwe (Rtd) and Ukachi Peter Opara (Rtd), Deputy Commissioner of Police Obo Ukam Obo (Rtd), and Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon A. Lough, SAN (Rtd).
According to court documents, the charges stem from alleged deliberate manipulations of official birth records by the retired officers to unlawfully extend their tenure in service beyond the statutory retirement age.
The case, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, outlines a series of infractions, chief among them the alleged alteration of dates of birth in official documents.
A particularly striking example involves AIG Idowu Owohunwa, who is accused of altering his birth year from 1967 to 1970, a move that would have granted him an additional three years in active service.
Prosecutors argue that such actions were not mere administrative oversights but a coordinated attempt to defraud the Nigerian government and subvert the integrity of the public service system.
The offences, they said, are punishable under several sections of the Penal Code, including those related to conspiracy, forgery, and falsification of age records, all serious infractions under Nigerian law.
The arraignment, originally scheduled for July, was postponed to ensure the physical presence of all five defendants.
The new hearing date was set for Thursday, September 25, 2025, in what is expected to be a high-profile legal showdown.
Legal experts note that the implications of this case extend far beyond the individuals involved.
“This case strikes at the heart of institutional credibility,” said legal analyst Barr. Nneka Obi.
“If proven, it reveals a deeply concerning pattern of fraud at the highest levels of the police force,and that demands accountability,” he added.
While the accused officers are yet to make public statements, sources close to the defence say they intend to challenge both the charges and the procedures that led to the case being filed.
The Police Force, under IGP Egbetokun’s leadership, has recently intensified its internal reforms aimed at cleansing the system of misconduct and restoring public trust.
This prosecution, analysts believe, signals a more aggressive stance on issues previously swept under the rug.
As the trial unfolds, Nigerians, many of whom have grown increasingly frustrated with institutional impunity, will be watching closely.
The case may well set a precedent for how public officers, even in retirement, are held accountable for actions taken while in service.
