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A group of former police officers from Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the Police Academy has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, seeking his intervention in their reinstatement. The officers claim they were unjustly retired despite securing a National Industrial Court of Nigeria ruling mandating their re-engagement.
Despite the court’s directive, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has yet to act on the judgment, leaving the affected officers in limbo. Represented by their lawyer, Olatoye Adejola, the officers have written to President Tinubu, urging him to direct the IGP to enforce the court order and reinstate them.
According to their letter, the officers were summoned to Abuja in August 2024 for documentation, with expectations of being reabsorbed into the force. However, no further actions or communications have followed since the process was completed.
The letter read:
“We are solicitors to Police Officers who are members of Courses 33, 34, and 35 (Force Entrants) of the Police Academy of the Nigeria Police Force (hereinafter referred to as ‘our clients’) and on whose mandate we write this letter of complaint…
“We wish to express our deep concerns about the failure of the Inspector General of Police in ensuring compliance with the directive of the commission that the Industrial Court judgment in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/281/2021 be enforced, and all officers affected by the judgment have their dates of appointment regularized.”
The officers noted their initial optimism upon receiving directives to report to Abuja between August 12 and 16, 2024, for documentation. They anticipated receiving their posting letters and salary restoration. However, over two months after completing the process, no updates or explanations have been provided by the police authorities.
The officers expressed confusion and frustration at the lack of action, emphasizing the hardships caused by their prolonged disengagement. They urged President Tinubu to direct the IGP to expedite the regularization of their appointments in compliance with the court judgment, which remains unchallenged.
“We appeal to Mr. President to further instruct the IGP to, without delay, enforce the judgment from a competent court and ensure the officers’ dates of appointment are regularized as directed,” the officers stated.
