Court Adjourns Alleged Age Falsification Case as Ex-Police Officers Fail to Appear

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The arraignment of five retired senior police officers facing charges of alleged age falsification has been adjourned once again after they failed to appear before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday.

This marks the third time the case has stalled due to the defendants’ absence, raising questions about the delays in bringing them before Justice Yusuf Halilu for trial.

The Defendants and the Charges

Those standing trial include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Idowu Owohunwa, retired Commissioners of Police (CPs) Benneth Igweh and Ukachi Peter Opara, retired Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Obo Ukam Obo, and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Simon A. Lough.

The Inspector-General of Police filed a 14-count charge against them, marked CR/353/2025, alleging conspiracy, age falsification, and forgery.

Akahi News gathered that the prosecution claims the officers altered their ages in official records to remain in the Nigeria Police Force beyond the statutory retirement period, thereby unlawfully benefiting from extended service privileges.

The charges, according to court filings, contravene several sections of the Penal Code Law, including Sections 97(1)(2), 158(1), 178, 324, and 366, covering conspiracy, cheating, fraudulent declarations, and forgery.

Prosecution Frustration and Defence Response

At the last sitting, Justice Halilu ordered the police to ensure the defendants were brought to court after the prosecution complained they were avoiding arraignment despite assurances from their counsel, Chief Goddy Uche (SAN).

On Thursday, prosecuting counsel ACP Rimamsomte Ezekiel informed the court that efforts to serve the defendants personally had failed as they had allegedly relocated from their registered addresses.

“We even sent soft copies of the charges via their WhatsApp numbers, but they have refused to appear,” Ezekiel told the court, requesting a bench warrant under Section 266(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

However, defence counsel Terkaa Aondo (SAN) opposed the application, arguing that criminal charges require personal service, not substituted means like electronic communication.

“The police have the machinery to bring the defendants to court. If they could arrest Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya and Omoyele Sowore here in Nigeria, they can do the same in this case,” Aondo submitted, urging the court to reject the bench warrant request.

Judge’s Ruling and Next Steps

Justice Halilu agreed with the defence, ruling that personal service was mandatory before any bench warrant could be issued.

“You are the prosecutor; it remains your duty to produce them in court. The defendants were granted bail on self-recognition, but you must ensure they appear for arraignment at the next sitting,” the judge held.

The court has adjourned the case until November 17, 2025, for arraignment.

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