The National Industrial Court in Abuja has restrained the police authorities from implementing the reinstatement of graduates of Cadet ASP Courses 18, 19 and 20 of the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, into the Nigeria Police Force. This decision was made on September 22, 2026, by Justice Buhari Sani. The court granted an interim injunction restraining the affected authorities from implementing the decision approving the officers' reinstatement.
The suit was marked NICN/KN/51/2026, and the ruling was contained in a Certified True Copy obtained by The PUNCH. The court also ordered the parties to maintain the status quo that existed immediately before the decision to reinstate the officers. This means that the 455 senior police officers compulsorily retired in January 2025 will remain retired for now.
The fresh injunction followed an application by Advocacy for Human Rights and Cultural Values for Development Initiatives, which challenged the return of the officers to the Force. The applicant sought an order of the court, restraining the first, second and fifth defendants from enforcing the decision of the appellate court pending the determination of its originating summons.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had affirmed a previous judgment of the National Industrial Court ordering the reinstatement of the 455 senior police officers. The appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the Police Service Commission against the judgment of the industrial court in the case involving ACP Chinedu Ambrose Emengaha and eight others.
The National Industrial Court had nullified the retirement of the affected officers and ordered their immediate reinstatement, alongside the payment of their salaries and allowances. The court also restrained the PSC and the then Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, from taking further actions relating to the retirement of the officers.
The controversy began after the PSC, in conjunction with the police leadership, retired 455 senior officers on January 31, 2025. Among those affected were senior officers, including AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Ben Igwe and DCP Simon Lough. The affected officers subsequently approached the National Industrial Court, challenging their retirement and seeking their reinstatement and payment of their entitlements.
The case was adjourned until September 30, 2026, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction. The applicant was also ordered to serve the ruling, the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction and the originating summons within three days.
Key points
- The National Industrial Court in Abuja has halted the reinstatement of 455 retired policemen.
- The court granted an interim injunction restraining the police authorities from implementing the decision approving the officers' reinstatement.
- The case was adjourned until September 30, 2026, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
