Drama In Court: Judge Throws Out IGP’s Request To Arrest Retired Police Chiefs

Justice Halilu Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Thursday dismissed a request by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, seeking arrest warrants for five retired senior police officers accused of falsifying their ages to unlawfully extend their years of service.

The retired officers — AIG Idowu Owohunwa, CP Benneth Igweh, CP Ukachi Peter Opara, DCP Obo Ukam Obo, and ACP Simon Lough (SAN) — are facing a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and age falsification.

Representing the IGP, Police Counsel AIG Ezekiel Rimamasonte, expressed displeasure at the absence of the defendants in court, insisting that they had been served the charges via WhatsApp, in accordance with Section 266(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. He argued that attempts to serve them physically failed since they had vacated their official residences after retirement.

But defence counsel, Terkaa Aondo (SAN), strongly opposed the move, stressing that the law requires personal service in criminal cases. He argued:

“My Lord, up till now, the defendants have not been served with a copy of the charge. This is not a civil but a criminal matter which requires personal service. Until they are properly before the court, the request for a bench warrant is premature.”

He further accused the police of selective enforcement, saying:

“If they could go all the way to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya and Omoyele Sowore here in Nigeria, why can’t they arrest these defendants and bring them to court?”

In his ruling, Justice Yusuf sided with the defence, holding that service of charges via WhatsApp was improper. He ruled that personal service was mandatory before the court could issue any arrest order.

“The police have the apparatus to bring the defendants to court. Until they are properly served, a bench warrant cannot be granted,” the judge declared.

He reminded the prosecution that the defendants had earlier been granted bail on self-recognisance and directed both sides to ensure their appearance at the next sitting.

The case has been adjourned until November 17, 2025, for arraignment.

The charges against the retired officers include allegations of conspiracy, forgery, falsification of age and service records, and fraudulent benefits from prolonged stay in office against civil service rules.