By SUNTV Global Channel | July 13, 2026
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has dismissed all criminal charges brought against several retired senior police officers over allegations of age falsification, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a credible case.
In its judgment, the court held that the evidence presented was insufficient to sustain the 14-count charge and discharged all the defendants.
The retired officers cleared by the court include former Assistant Inspector-General of Police Idowu Owohunwa, former Commissioners of Police Benneth Igweh and Ukachi Peter Opara, former Deputy Commissioner of Police Obo Ukam Obo, and former Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon A. Lough (SAN).
The case was filed in 2025 following allegations that the officers falsified their ages and official service records to remain in the Nigeria Police Force beyond the statutory retirement period.
Delivering the judgment, the presiding judge ruled that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the allegations. The court also observed that the circumstances surrounding the case suggested the prosecution was initiated in bad faith, noting that similar cases involving other officers had previously been dismissed by the courts.
With the ruling, the defendants were formally discharged, bringing the criminal proceedings against them to an end.
The judgment represents another legal setback in the long-running controversy over alleged age falsification within the Nigeria Police Force. The issue had sparked disputes involving the retirement of senior officers and multiple court cases challenging disciplinary actions and retirement directives.
The controversy gained national attention after the Police Service Commission ordered the retirement of officers who had either reached the age of 60 or completed 35 years in service. Several affected officers challenged the decision in court, arguing that the actions taken against them were unlawful.
The latest judgment adds to a series of court decisions that have dismissed similar cases arising from the age falsification controversy.
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