‘I Was Forced Out For Opposing Plot Against Owohunwa’s Emergence As Police IG,’ Says Ex-Police Prosecutor Simon Lough
The former Nigeria Police Force’s lead prosecutor, Simon Asamber Lough (SAN), has 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).
Lough made the claim in an exclusive interview with City Lawyer, published by Trojan Insights. He 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 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.
“I did not commit any offence or administrative infraction,” Lough stated. “The leadership was plotting to push out AIG Idowu (Owohunwa) even though he is not due for retirement until 2030. They feared he could serve a full four-year term as stipulated in the Police Act, making him the longest-serving IGP.”
According to him, his legal advice to uphold a 2021 judgment of the National Industrial Court (NIC), which had settled Owohunwa’s retirement status, angered the police leadership.
“I advised that it would be scandalous for the Force to challenge a settled judgment, especially after an earlier appeal had failed,” Lough said. “They were unhappy with my advice and saw me as an obstacle to their plan. That’s when they decided to target me.”
Lough alleged that his forced retirement was also linked to his impending promotion to Commissioner of Police (Legal), which would have positioned him as the longest-serving legal head in the Force.
“They knew I was due for promotion to CP this month, and that my retirement date is May 14, 2029,” he said. “The fear of my emergence as CP Legal and the possibility of me becoming the longest-serving legal head in the Force triggered envy and jealousy.”
Lough further claimed that some of the individuals behind his removal were linked to powerful fraudsters he was prosecuting.
“They have never accused me of any misconduct or wrongdoing,” he said. “It’s clear that my removal was politically motivated. They even went as far as leaking internal signals to create the impression that I had committed an offence.”
Lough’s case is currently before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).
Background
On March 6, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Force had 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.’
It read, “Grateful be informed that the underlisted senior police officers have been retired from the Force. W.E.F dates indicated against their names. AP/NO. 50645 AIG Idowu Owohunwa, W.E.F X 10/02/2025 X AP/NO 50703 CP Benneth Igweh C. X W.E.F X 01/05/2023 X ΑΡ/ΝΟ 41704 CP Aina Emmanuel A. W.E.F X 10/02/2025 X ΑΡ/ΝΟ 41741 CP Salama Wakili Abdul W.E.F X 26/02/2025 X AP/NO 57917 ACP Simon A. Lough (SAN) W.E.F X 01/08/2022 X AP/NO 57894 ACP Dakon Philip Sarpiwefa, ΑΡ/ΝΟ 42600 ACP Grace O. Ejiofor.”
Newsmen 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.
Newsmen 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.
Newsmen reported that police insiders had started questioning why the IGP himself remained in office while enforcing strict retirement policies on others.
Newsmen 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 newsmen 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, newsmen 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.
