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Aggrieved Police Officers Demand PSC Compliance with Court Judgment on Appointment Regularization

Aggrieved Police Officers Demand PSC Compliance with Court Judgment on Appointment Regularization
By: Zagazola Makama
Aggrieved police officers from Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the Police Academy have kicked against any attempt to forcefully retire them from service and called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to immediately comply with the judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), which ordered the regularization of their first appointment dates.
It would be recalled that the PSC at a meeting in Abuja earlier this month ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have either exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60.
The spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, recalled that the Commission at its 24th Plenary Meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017, approved that the Force Entrants should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment.
The Commission revisited their decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of a merger of service in the public service, and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.
“Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” Ani had said.
But the aggrieved officers argued that, Despite the April 19, 2022, ruling and subsequent reinforcement of the judgment on February 4, 2025, the officers alleged that the PSC has failed to implement the directive, thereby denying them their rightful ranks, promotions, and entitlements.
Recalled that in 2021, The officers, led by CSP Egong Egwu Egong, CSP Omeh Felix Okechukwu, CSP Paul Obot Umoh, and SP Galadima Bello, won a legal battle in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/281/2021, in which the court ruled that their first appointment date should be the date they entered the Police Academy, not when enlisted as recruit constable.
The National Industrial Court, presided over by Justice O. A. Obaseki Osaghae, reaffirmed in its latest sitting that the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force must recognize the officers’ first appointment dates as follows: Course 33 – June 10, 1994, Course 34 – August 6, 1996, Course 35 – May 1, 2000
The court also ordered that: The decision of the PSC at its 24th Plenary Meeting regularizing the officers’ appointment dates remains valid and binding. The officers’ records must reflect their correct first appointment dates as per the court ruling. The premature retirement of some affected officers must be reversed, and they should be paid their full entitlements.
The PSC and the Police Force are restrained from unlawfully retiring officers of Courses 33, 34, and 35 before their actual due dates.
However, During a recent court proceeding, counsel for the officers, Adeleke Agbola (SAN), informed the court that the PSC had issued a circular contradicting the judgment by insisting that the officers’ first appointment date would be based on their commissioning date, not their academy entry date.
Agbola argued that this action amounted to contempt of court, as the judgment had not been appealed and remained binding on all parties. He urged the court to maintain the status quo and proceed with committal proceedings against the PSC for non-compliance.
In response, counsel for the PSC, Ade Adedeji (SAN), assured the court that the defendants intended to comply with the judgment, stating that there was no pending appeal challenging the ruling. He also noted that steps had been taken to post the affected officers accordingly and that the PSC had no intention of undermining the court’s decision.
The court adjourned the matter to March 18, 2025, for a report on full compliance or hearing of contempt proceedings against the PSC.
Following the court session, the aggrieved officers have urged the PSC to immediately implement the judgment, update their service records, reinstate unlawfully retired officers, and grant them their due promotions and benefits.
They warned that continued delay would amount to willful disobedience of a valid court order, which could lead to legal consequences for the PSC and police authorities.
The officers further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene and ensure that justice is served in line with the rule of law.
Background to the Dispute
The case dates back to longstanding grievances by police officers of Courses 33, 34, and 35, who argued that while their colleagues in similar categories had their appointments regularized, they were denied the same recognition.
The PSC is now asking for their retirement despite the National Industrial Court ruling which was disobeyed or delayed by the concerned authorities. This delays in implementation have left the officers frustrated and seeking further legal enforcement.
With the next court hearing scheduled for March 18, 2025, all eyes are on the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force to see whether they will comply with the judgment or face contempt proceedings.
Aggrieved Police Officers Demand PSC Compliance with Court Judgment on Appointment Regularization
News
Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings

Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia
…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings
By: Michael Mike
Political Leaders from the Southwest have lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state as a performing governor during a visit to the state capital, Makurdi.
Top leaders under the auspices of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), during a condolence visit to the people of Yelwata community in Guma local government area of Benue state where over 200 persons were killed by suspected herdsmen with many others injured and displaced recently, were impressed by how the state government handled both the medical and the political outcome of the attack.
The delegation led by it chairman, Prince Dr Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi also visited the survivors of the attack undergoing treatment at the Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
Recalled that President Bola Tinubu had visited Benue on the heels of the deadly attack in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area and directed security agencies to urgently gather actionable intelligence and flush out the armed herdsmen responsible for the dastardly act.
Addressing leaders and members of the Yelwata community, Olusi consoled with them, assuring that the GAC shared in their pains and that the highest body of the APC in Lagos would support every effort to restore peace in the area.
He said the visit which was in solidarity with the APC-led administration of the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia, is intended to comfort the families of the deceased, victims and survivors so as to let them know that they were not alone in their challenge time but they have empathy of others.
“Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), a top organ of the Lagos APC is here in solidarity with the APC administration of your hardworking Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia to console with you and assure you that we feel your pains and we will also support all efforts to restore security and reinkindle hope.
“We also appeal to you to keep faith with the administration of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who here in Benue to condole with you and gave directives to the security agencies to fish out the culprits and restore security so that you can go about your normal businesses.
“The mother of the nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was here too to bring succour to you. Your Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia is also doing his best in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the APC-led government to make you more secured and comfortable,”Olusi said.
At the Adasu University Teaching Hospital, the delegation sympathised with the victims undergoing treatment and recuperating, and wished them quick recovery.
The delegation also took time to visit the High-level roundabout underpass in Makurdi and other infrastructural development projects embarked upon by Alia administration.
The Olusi-led GAC delegation, lauded Governor Alia’s giant strides in Benue state, almost surpassing previous administrations in just two years and urged people of the state to continue to support him to do more.
Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia
…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings
News
Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja

Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping by a notorious bandit gang and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a midnight operation in the outskirts of the territory.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation followed credible intelligence from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Headquarters about a planned attack led by a gang leader identified as Idrisa, also known as Mai Duna.
Acting swiftly, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit laid an ambush between 9 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 1 a.m. on Oct. 11 along the rail track near Grow Home Estate, a location bordering the FCT and Niger State.
The armed gang, divided into two groups targeting Grow Home Estate and Royal Champion Church in Chikakore, Byazhin District, was intercepted by the police team.
A fierce gun duel ensued, lasting about 20 minutes, after which the bandits were subdued, forcing many to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.
During the search of the area, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breech number, one magazine, and a live round of 7.62mm ammunition.
Reinforcement from the military, DSS, and local hunters was deployed to the area to secure the communities and block escape routes.
Sources said that the Commissioner of Police assured residents of continued security presence and renewed commitment to maintaining peace and safety in the FCT.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit has commenced further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja
News
Police arrest mentally unstable woman for killing IDP in Monguno

Police arrest mentally unstable woman for killing IDP in Monguno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Borno State Police Command has arrested a mentally unstable woman for allegedly killing a fellow internally displaced person (IDP) in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said that on Oct. 10, 2025, at about 4:35 p.m., one Modu Kolomi of RRR IDPs Camp reported that a woman identified as Yagana Zara, aged 40, of the Water Board IDPs Camp, attacked his wife, Yagana Abba Butu, aged 30, with a wooden stirrer.
The suspect, said to be mentally challenged, allegedly beat the victim severely, resulting in fatal internal injuries.
Security forces Monguno promptly visited the scene, rescued the suspect from mob action, and evacuated the victim to the General Hospital, Monguno, where she was confirmed dead on arrival.
The body was deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy and later released to the family for burial according to Islamic rites.
According to sources, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Maiduguri, has commenced investigation, while the suspect has been taken to a state psychiatric facility for mental evaluation.
End
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