A group of recently disengaged police officers has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to implement a court ruling that mandates their reinstatement into the force.
The officers, from Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the Nigeria Police Academy, claim they were unfairly retired before completing the required 35 years of service or reaching the age of 60.
They contested this action and in April 2022, secured a favorable ruling from the National Industrial Court in Abuja, which ordered their reinstatement.
However, despite the court order, neither the IGP, the Police Service Commission, nor the Secretary of the Police Force have taken steps to enforce the judgment.
In an open letter to President Tinubu, the officers’ legal representative, Olatoye Adejola, expressed concern over the continued non-compliance with the court’s directive.
“The National Industrial Court directed the IGP to reinstate our clients, but no action has been taken,” the letter stated.
The letter also noted that the officers were called to Abuja in August 2024 to complete necessary documentation, which gave them hope that their reinstatement was imminent.
However, despite fulfilling the requirements, they have yet to receive any official communication regarding their return to duty.
“Our clients were hopeful when they were summoned to Abuja for documentation between August 12 and 16, 2024, expecting to receive their posting letters and have their salaries reinstated,” the letter added.
“Now, over two months later, there has been no further information, leaving them uncertain and frustrated.”
The officers appealed directly to President Tinubu, asking him to ensure the IGP complies with the court’s ruling and regularizes their appointments without further delay.
“Mr. President, we respectfully request that you use your office to instruct the IGP to promptly carry out the regularization of our clients’ appointments, as ordered by the court, with no appeal against the ruling,” the officers stated in the letter.
