Justice Halilu Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has rejected a request by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to issue arrest warrants against five retired senior police officers accused of falsifying their age records to unlawfully extend their service.
The defendants include AIG Idowu Owohunwa (rtd.), CP Benneth Igweh (rtd.), CP Ukachi Peter Opara (rtd.), DCP Obo Ukam Obo (rtd.) and ACP Simon A. Lough, SAN (rtd.). They face a 14-count charge bordering on forgery and age falsification.
At Thursday’s hearing, police lawyer Ezekiel Rimamasonte expressed displeasure over their absence despite allegedly being served with charges, and prayed the court to issue arrest warrants.
But defence counsel, Terkaa Aondo (SAN), countered that the IGP had failed to properly serve the defendants as required by law, insisting that criminal charges demanded personal service.
After listening to both parties, Justice Yusuf declined the request, stressing that the police must ensure the defendants were properly brought before the court before seeking warrants.
The case was adjourned to November 17, 2025 for arraignment.
