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BREAKING: Inspector-General Egbetokun Files 14-Count Charge Against Retired AIG Owohunwa, CP Igweh, Opara, Others Over Age Falsification, Forgery, Others

Published

3 weeks ago

May 31, 2025

The charge, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja under suit number CR/353/25, also lists retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Obo Ukam Obo and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Lough, SAN, as defendants.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a 14-count criminal charge against several retired senior police officers — including former Assistant Inspector-General, Idowu Owohunwa, and former Commissioners of Police, Benneth Igweh and Ukachi Peter Opara — over alleged age falsification and forgery.

According to the court filings, the accused, all former members of the Nigeria Police Force enlisted around 1999, are alleged to have forged official police signals and used them to manipulate their records.

One such document, Signal No. DTO 221535/05/89, purportedly issued from NIGPOL Admin Lagos to the Commandant of the Police Academy in Kaduna, was also cited as a key piece of forged evidence used in the alleged scheme.

The Inspector-General accused the defendants of conspiracy, forgery, and unlawful alteration of official records, among other offenses.

The charges read: “That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) (2) CP Benneth Igweh (Rtd) (3) CP Ukachi Peter Opara (Rtd) (4) DCP Obo Ukam Obo (Rtd) (5) ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) and others who are now at large being members of force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force on or about 1999 till date in FCT Abuja which is within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed the offence of conspiracy with intent to commit criminal offence punishable under Section 97 (1) (2) of the Penal Code Law,

“That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) (2) CP Benneth Igweh (Rtd) (3) CP Ukachi Peter Opara (Rtd) (4) DCP Obo Ukam Obo (Rtd) (5) ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) and others who are now at large being members of force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force on or about 2019 in FCT Abuja which is within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed offence in that, you falsified and also use as genuine signal of the Nigeria Police Force, signal No. DTO 221535/05/89 in the name of the NIGPOL Admin Lagos to Compol Academy Kaduna and hereby committed offence punishable under Section 366 of the Penal Code Law.

“That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) (2) CP Benneth Igweh (Rtd) (3) CP Ukachi Peter Opara (Rtd) (4) DCP Obo Ukam Obo (Rtd) (5) ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) and others who are now at large being members of force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force on or about 2019 in FCT Abuja which is within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court to wit, falsified signal in the name of the Nigeria Police Force No: DTO:261340/061/89 Compol Admin Sokoto which you dishonestly committed and thereby committed the offence which is punishable under Section 366 of the Penal Code Law.

The document added, “That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) (2) CP Benneth Igweh (Rtd) (3) CP Ukachi Peter Opara (Rtd) (4) DCP Obo Ukam Obo (Rtd) and others who are now at large who are members of force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force on or about 22nd day of November, 2019 at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria Garki Abuja to wit, dishonestly used as genuine signal which you falsified No: DTO: 221535/05/89 and No: DTO:261340/061/89 in the case of ACP Chinedu Ambrose Emengaha & Ors -Vs- P.S.C. & 2 Ors, suit No: NICN/ABJ/354/2019 with which you deceived and obtained judgment against the Nigeria Police Force and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 161 of the Penal Code Law.

“That you ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) and others who are now at large being members of force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force on or about 22nd day of November, 2019 at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria Garki Abuja to wit, dishonestly and fraudulently used as genuine signal which you falsified No: DTO: 221535/05/89 and No: DTO:261340/061/89 in the case of ACP Sunday Okuguni & Ors -Vs- PSC & 1 or Suit No: NICN/ABJ/353/2019 for and on behalf of course 20 force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force, which you deceived and obtained judgment against the Nigeria Police Force and thereby committed the offence punishable under Section 161 of the Penal Code Law.

“That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) (2) CP Benneth Igwch (Red) (3) CP Ukachi Peter Opara (Rtd) (4) DCP Obo Ukam Obo (Rid) (5) ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) and others who are now at large who are members of force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force on or about 2021 and 2022 dishonestly connived with CSP Egong Egwu Egong & Ors for and as representing members of course 33, 34 and 35 of the Police Academy -Vs- PSC & 2 Ors Suit No NICN/ABJ/281/21 and ACP Adesina Olunlade & 1 Or for themselves and for course 21 of Force entrants of the Police Academy-Vs-PSC & 2 Ors suit No: NICN/ABJ/51/2022 No. DTO: 22/1535/05/89 and No: DTO: 261340/061/89 deceived and obtained judgments at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria against the Nigeria Police Force by Frauds and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 161 of the Penal Code Law.

It said, “That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) (2) CP Benneth Igweh (Rtd) (3) ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) on or about 25th day of March, 2025 in FCT Abuja which is within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and with intents to mislead the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and the general members of the public, depose to the affidavit in the case of AIG Idowu Owohunwa & 2 Ors-vs- PSC & 7 Ors suit No: NICN/ABJ/88/2025 that you are all serving members of the Nigeria Police Force knowing that you have served and retired from the force and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 158(2) of the Penal Code Law.

“That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) (2) CP Benneth Igweh (Rtd) (3) ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) on or about 25th March, 2025 in FCT Abuja which Es within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly and fraudulently ttached your falsified signals No: DTO: 221535/05/89 and No: DTO 51340/061/89 to your case in between AIG Idowu Owohunwa & 2 Ors -Vs-SC & 7 Ors, Suit: NICN/ABJ/88/2025 with view to mislead the court that, the d documents truly came from the Nigeria Police Force and thereby committed ence punishable under Section 161 of the Penal Code Law.

“That you AIG Idowu Owokunws (Red) on or about 30 April, 2021 in FCT Abuja which is within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court as a member of force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force, course 19 sssued directives in the name of the Inspector-General of Police on the implementation of judgments. Judgment which you know to be by fraud with fake and falsified documents and thereby committed the above offence punishable under Section 178 of the Penal Code Law.

According to the document, “That you ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) on or about 25 day of March, 2025 in FCT Abuja which is within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Coun, dishonestly and fraudulently depose to process of court in the case of AIG Idowu Owahunwa & 2 Or-Vs- PSC & 7 Ors, suit No: NICN/ABJ/88/2025A that you have only served for 25 years in the Nigeria Police Force, knowing that, you are lying and also dishonest when you enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 1” August, 1987 and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 158(1) of the Penal Code Law.

“That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) on or about December, 2024 in Abuja which is within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and with intent to remain serving in the Nigeria Police Force against the provision of the public Service Rules of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dishonestly falsified and submitted to the Nigeria Police Force Record, a Declaration of age dated 4% April, 1990 Kogi State of Nigeria that you are born on 20th July, 1970 and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 366 of the Penal Code Law.

“That you CP Benneth Igwe (Rtd) on or about December, 2024 in Abuja which is within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, to wit committed the offence of age falsification in that you enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 1 May, 1988 on record that you were born on 7th October, 1964. And investigation revealed that you altered your age to be that you are born on 7th October, 1968 wallows that you enlisted into the Nigeria Police in 1996. You thereby committed esus punishable under Section 366 of the Penal Code Law

“That you ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) on or about July, 2022 in FCT Abuja which is within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed offence of falsifying your age in order to remain serving in the Nigeria Police Force in that, when you onlusted into the Nigeria Police Force on 1 August, 1987 on record, you were born on 14 May, 1967. You dishonestly and fraudulently altered and fake your age to be 14th May, 1969 against Public Service Rule of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also knowing that you have retired but remain in office beyond 1 August, 2022 till January, 2025 and thereby committed offence punishable under Section 161 of the Penal Code Law.

“That you AIG Idowu Owohunwa (Rtd) (2) CP Benneth Igweh (Rtd) (3) CP Ukachi Peter Opara (Rtd) (4) DCP Obo Ukam Obo (Rtd) (5) ACP Simon A. Lough SAN (Rtd) and others who are now at large who are members of force entrants of the Nigeria Police Force on or till January, 2025 in FCT Abuja which is within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court. You falsified and altered your ages and documents in the name of Nigeria Police Force in which you failed and could not vacate from office when you supposed to leave on retirement in line with Public Service Rule of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Remained and illegally benefited the privileges of your office and thereby committed offence of cheating, and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code Law.”

On March 6, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Force announced the discharge and retirement of seven senior officers including AIG Owohunwa and ACP Simon Lough.

Others were Benneth Igweh C., CP Aina Emmanuel A., CP Salama Wakili Abdul, ACP Dakon Philip Sarpiwefa, and Grace O. Ejiofor.

This was announced in a police wireless message dated March 4, 2025 and sent to zonal commands, state commands, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) among others.

It cited the ‘Decisions of the Extra Ordinary Meeting of the Police Service Commission held on Thursday 20th February, 2025.’

SaharaReporters had also exclusively reported that the latest casualty of the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s power consolidation at the time was Owohunwa, whom the IGP reportedly saw as an “archenemy” and a threat to his continued stay in office.

Owohunwa was the AIG in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi.

The police authorities promptly prepared his retirement letter after he failed to secure a promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).

The Police Service Commission (PSC) declined to elevate Owohunwa, paving the way for his removal.

SaharaReporters had also reported that concerns were mounting within the Force over the continued stay of Egbetokun in office, despite also being in office beyond the retirement age of 60.

Infractions such as age falsification and violation of service rules led to the forced retirement of several senior officers.

It was also revealed that Egbetokun, who officially retired all his coursemates by March 3, 2025, had been filling their positions with new senior officers believed to be loyal to him.

SaharaReporters reported that police insiders had started questioning why the IGP himself remained in office while enforcing strict retirement policies on others.

SaharaReporters learnt that the IGP had confided in several top sources within the presidency that he nearly lost his position if not for the intervention of First Lady Remi Tinubu, to whom he was said to be extremely close.

According to sources within the presidency, Egbetokun confirmed that he narrowly escaped removal from office because President Bola Tinubu’s wife supported him.

“The IGP almost lost his job, but the First Lady intervened,” a senior government source revealed. “Now, he is more confident than ever and is making strategic moves to secure his position.”

Two police signals obtained by SaharaReporters indicated that in February, Egbetokun ordered the replacement of some of the affected officers. Meanwhile, police authorities had fully approved the retirement of all implicated personnel.

Additionally, SaharaReporters reported that the IGP directed the posting and redeployment of officers to replace those found guilty of forgery, age falsification, and other violations of service regulations.

A previously published list included about 467 officers implicated in age falsification, among them Simon Lough, SAN, Benneth Igweh, and several others.

The recent controversy surrounding the police force stems from the forced retirement of many senior officers by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The mass retirements affected several Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), and others.

The PSC had issued a directive mandating the retirement of officers who have served for 35 years or reached the age of 60, in line with Public Service Rules.

The former Nigeria Police Force’s lead prosecutor, Simon Asamber Lough (SAN), had alleged that his forced retirement was a direct consequence of his refusal to support a plot against the emergence of retired AIG Idowu Owohunwa as the next Inspector General of Police (IGP).
He had said the scheme involved the removal of no fewer than six senior officers, driven by the fear that Owohunwa would become the longest-serving IGP under the amended Police Act 2020.

Lough had alleged that his removal was orchestrated by influential figures within the police, backed by “high-profile fraudsters” he was prosecuting for cases involving billions of naira and dollars.

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Stay away from Ohanaeze issues – Youth Council cautions Uchenna Madu-led MASSOB

Published

1 hour ago

June 23, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has warned the Uchenna Madu-led Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, to steer clear of the activities concerning the Ohanaeze leadership in general and Lagos State in particular.

Ohanaeze youths spoke in reaction to a statement by the Madu-led MASSOB wherein it endorsed Chief Senator John Azuta Mbata as President General of Ohanaeze, and Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Lagos State.

However, in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike said it was strange for MASSOB under Madu to abandon its agitation for Biafra to now dictate who is authentic Ohanaeze President-General.

While accusing Madu of doing the work of his pay masters, he urged the members of the public to ignore baseless claims from “such a factional leader of MASSOB”.

Okwu declared that “Solomon Aguene is not President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos. His tenure expired long time ago and his endorsement by a factional leadership of MASSOB led by Uchenna Madu cannot change it.

“We are well aware that the endorsement statement was procured in a desperate bid to procure legitimacy but it is dead on arrival.”

The Ohanaeze youths warned the factional MASSOB and their likes to “stay off Ohanaeze activities and face their agitation. If they are tired, they should find something else, and not resort to turning Ohanaeze leadership into a business venture.

“Ndigbo Lagos cannot be cowed with an acclaimed consent judgement of a greedy man who wants to perpetually remain the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.

“You continually enforce yourself on the people even when it is clear that you are no longer needed.

“He pleaded with late Prof George Obiozor for recognition, it failed; he pleaded with late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, it failed; now he wants to force himself on Mbata with a purchased endorsement by a faction of MASSOB.”

“We are very much aware of those working with enemies of Ndigbo in Lagos to curry favour; at the appropriate time, we shall expose them,” Okwu vowed.

He restated that Chief Jackson Omenazu remains the authentic President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, warning that they would not sit by and watch the imposition of a stranger on Ndigbo as their leader.

Business

NNPCL increases fuel price

Published

4 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has increased its premium motor spirit price.

DAILY POST correspondent who went round NNPCL retail outlets in Abuja on Monday gathered that the state-owned oil firm has jerked up the fuel pump price to N945 per litre from N895.

This was the case in NNPCL filling stations along Kubwa Expressway, Wuse Zone 6 (Berger), Zone 4, Airport Road, Lugbe, and across its locations in Abuja.

This showed that NNPCL increased its petrol pump price by N50 per litre.

A motorist, Benjamin Chukwu, said the hike would directly impact the cost of transportation and worsen the country’s inflationary pressures.

“I discovered they increased their pump price on Sunday evening to N945 per litre. Others like MRS also did this weekend. Certainly this will impact transportation fare,” he told DAILY POST.

Earlier, DAILY POST reported that MRS filling stations, a retail partner with Dangote Refinery, announced a new price template for petrol between N925 and N945 per litre in Lagos and Abuja.

The development comes after Dangote Refinery increased its ex-depot price of petrol to N880 per litre from N825 on Friday last week.

Recall that global oil prices had been on the rise following the escalation of war between Israel and Iran in the past two weeks.

On Monday, Brent and West Texas Intermediate rose by nearly 3 per cent upon the United States bombing of three Iran nuclear sites at the weekend.

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Youth Confab: CCNC, Osun commissioner disagree over committee nominations

Published

5 hours ago

June 23, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A fresh crisis is brewing in Osun State between the Commissioner for Youths Affairs, Moshood Olagunju and the state chapter of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, CCNC.

This is as the CCNC accused Olagunju of favouritism, secrecy, and mismanagement in the selection process for the National Youth Conference (Confab) committee.

In a statement signed by CCNC Chairman, Akinkunmi Musa Abdulsalam, the group alleged that the Commissioner had consistently sidelined youth organisations that played a central role in recent activism, particularly those involved in the protests which led to the Federal Government’s decision to hold the National Youth Confab.

The group accused Olagunju of excluding its male representative, who was originally submitted by the CCNC, insisting that the Commissioner has shown a pattern of selecting only his associates or persons favourable to his camp.

Abdulsalam said, “The Commissioner’s selection process was done behind closed doors, without consultation, transparency or fairness. Genuine comrades who fought for this cause were deliberately left out. The Commissioner’s actions suggest a clear attempt to hijack the process for personal or political gain.

“Instead of recognising those who engaged the public and stakeholders in the state’s interest, the Commissioner is forcing individuals who never participated in the advocacy process onto the committee.”

The CCNC also raised concerns over alleged collaboration between the Commissioner and a Personal Assistant to the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who they claimed has overstayed in office by eight years.

They described this as an unholy alliance used to perpetrate questionable dealings within the Osun State Ministry of Youth Affairs.

“The Ministry is fast becoming a personal empire where only loyalists are considered for opportunities, to the detriment of the wider youth constituency,” the coalition stated.

The group insisted that the matter went beyond gender representation, reiterating that the Commissioner was trying to rewrite history by excluding those who made the Confab possible.

While urging Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene and ensure that the process is corrected, the group described the current path as explosive and a potential cause of civil unrest among the youth.

“The Governor must act now. The youths are becoming restless, and the situation must be managed before it escalates.

“Any representative who did not participate in advocacy would lack the moral authority to speak on behalf of Osun youth at the national level,” the group added.

They called for a full disclosure of the selection criteria and demanded inclusion in every phase of planning and representation.

Responding to these allegations, Olagunju defended the Ministry’s actions, stating that all decisions were taken in line with directives from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Abuja.

According to the Commissioner, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports later demanded a 50/50 gender representation, which affected the initial nominations submitted by several states, including Osun.

“I was instructed to submit eight names, with the ninth slot being an automatic inclusion. This is not a list of beneficiaries but committee members to guide the Confab.

“During a Zoom meeting with all 36 state Commissioners of Youths, I challenged the sudden change to the 70/30 gender ratio arrangement.

“We were told it was a ministerial directive. The Osun State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and the National Association of Nigerian Students submitted female names accordingly,” Olagunju stated.

The Commissioner added that CCNC was contacted and asked to submit a female representative, but they declined, insisting on retaining their initial male nominee.

He maintained that CCNC’s refusal to comply demonstrated a hidden agenda.

“To convince them, I sent them Ekiti State’s list as proof that other states complied. Instead of complying, they started threatening me and claimed I was manipulating the process.

“They said they had no female members. I told them to nominate anyone, even if it was a girlfriend. I needed to fulfil and meet up with the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports’ directive,” he stated.

The Commissioner, who said the state’s participation would not be hindered by one group, stressed that the state will not be held back because of CCNC’s intransigence.

“Another group will be picked if necessary,” he maintained.

He accused CCNC of attempting to blackmail him and revealed that he had alerted security agencies following threats of planned protests at his office on Monday.

He maintained that no favouritism was involved and that the CCNC’s exclusion was due to their refusal to meet the gender requirement, not because of any personal vendetta.

Olagunju, however, insisted that the process was transparent and aligned with federal expectations.

“Let them contact the Minister of Youth directly to confirm the directive,” he said.