ABUJA — The legal controversy surrounding members of Courses 18, 19 and 20 (Force Entrants) of the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, has taken a fresh turn at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, with the Court granting an interim injunction pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons challenging the implementation of their proposed reinstatement.

The proceedings are not an attempt to review or overturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal. Rather, they seek judicial interpretation and determination of the legal consequences of existing judgments and the applicable statutory provisions governing the service, retirement and entitlement of the affected police officers.

The case was instituted by Advocacy for Human Rights and Cultural Values Development Initiatives in Suit No. NICN/KN/51/2026, before Honourable Justice Buhari Sani.

The Applicant approached the Court following steps taken by the relevant police authorities towards implementing the decision to reinstate members of Courses 18, 19 and 20 (Force Entrants), including a directive requiring the affected officers to report for a six-month induction course.

The Applicant’s case is that the proposed implementation raises substantial questions of law requiring judicial determination, particularly concerning the interpretation of the previous judgments on the date of first appointment of the affected Force Entrants and the application of the statutory provisions governing the duration of service and retirement of police officers.

Central to the dispute is Section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, which provides that every police officer shall, upon recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years or until attaining 60 years of age, whichever occurs earlier. The provision has also been considered by the National Industrial Court alongside Rule 020908(i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, which provides for compulsory retirement upon attaining 60 years of age or completing 35 years of pensionable service, whichever occurs earlier. (nicnadr.gov.ng)

The Applicant contends that these provisions require proper interpretation in determining whether officers who have either completed the applicable period of service or attained the statutory retirement age can lawfully remain in service or continue to receive salaries and other emoluments from public funds.

The proceedings also raise questions concerning the interaction between the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Public Service Rules, the Pension Reform Act, 2014, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly in relation to retirement, pensionable service and the payment of public funds to officers who may have reached the applicable statutory retirement threshold.

The Applicant further contends that the Court must determine the legal implications of any attempt to treat the previous service of the affected officers as part of their present pensionable service, particularly where the previous judgments concerning their dates of first appointment have already been implemented.

The need for judicial clarification became more pronounced because the reinstatement process was already being put into effect before the substantive questions raised in the Originating Summons had been finally determined.

In a ruling delivered on September 22, 2026, Justice Buhari Sani considered the application, the affidavit evidence and the written address filed on behalf of the Applicant by its counsel, Hamza N. Dantani, Esq.

The Court found that the substantive proceedings raised serious questions requiring determination, including the interpretation of the applicable provisions of the Nigeria Police Act and Public Service Rules and the legal consequences of the existing judgments concerning the affected officers.

The Court also considered the fact that the reinstatement process was already underway and that the affected officers had reportedly been directed to commence a six-month induction programme.

Against that background, the Court granted an interim injunction pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons, thereby preserving the subject matter of the proceedings while the substantive legal questions remain before the Court.

The order restrains the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission, including their officers, servants, agents and privies, from implementing, giving effect to or enforcing the decision approving the reinstatement of the affected members of Courses 18, 19 and 20 (Force Entrants) pending the determination of the substantive proceedings.

The Court also directed the parties to maintain the status quo that existed immediately before the decision to reinstate the affected officers.

The significance of the order is that the Court is not, at this stage, finally determining whether the affected officers are entitled to remain in service. Rather, the order preserves the existing position so that the Court can first determine the substantive legal questions raised before it.

Those questions include the proper interpretation of Section 18(8) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Rule 020908(i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, the relevant provisions of the Pension Reform Act, 2014, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other applicable regulations governing the Nigeria Police Force.

The proceedings also raise the broader question of whether an officer who has already attained the applicable statutory retirement threshold of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever occurs earlier, can lawfully continue in active service and receive salary and other emoluments from public funds.

The issue of the date of first appointment is particularly significant in the dispute involving the Force Entrants.

In an earlier judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025, involving members of Courses 18, 19 and 20, the Court considered the previous judgments in NICN/ABJ/345/2019 and NICN/ABJ/353/2019 concerning the dates of first appointment of the affected Cadet Officers.

The Court held, among other things, that the Police Service Commission could not reopen or alter the dates of first appointment already determined by the earlier judgments. It also set aside the Commission’s January 31, 2025 directive insofar as it affected the members of Courses 18, 19 and 20 (Force Entrants). (nicnadr.gov.ng)

The earlier judgment further declared that members of the affected courses who had neither completed 35 years of pensionable service nor attained 60 years of age were excluded from the retirement decision then under consideration. (nicnadr.gov.ng)

The matter subsequently went before the Court of Appeal. Reports of the appellate decision indicate that the Court of Appeal in April 2026 upheld the earlier decision of the National Industrial Court concerning the reinstatement of the affected officers. (Businessday NG)

The present proceedings therefore arise against that background.

The Applicant maintains that it is not asking the National Industrial Court to sit on appeal over the Court of Appeal or to review the appellate judgment. Rather, the Originating Summons seeks a determination of the legal interpretation, application and consequences of the existing judicial decisions and statutory provisions in the circumstances of the affected officers.

The Court has consequently preserved the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the Originating Summons.

The matter has been adjourned until September 30, 2026, for further proceedings.

The substantive determination is expected to clarify the legal relationship between the existing judgments concerning the affected Force Entrants, their dates of first appointment, the statutory retirement framework and the implementation of the decision to reinstate them.

Until the Originating Summons is finally determined, the interim order remains directed at preserving the subject matter of the litigation and preventing steps that could potentially render the substantive proceedings nugatory.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A socio-political group for the realisation of the political ambition of the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi (SYD), under the aegis of Dahiri Omo Ilorin, has
engaged eminent sons and daughters of Ilorin, with participants pledging their unwavering support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hon Danladi is the gubernatorial candidate for the All progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Dubbed “Ilorin Emirate Stakeholders Chat with SYD”, the colourful event was themed, “One Ilorin, One Voice: Unity, Development, and the Future of Kwara”, and attracted top officials of government, political gladiators, Ilorin high ranking chiefs and kingmakers, community and religious leaders, and various support groups.

The big State Banquet Hall, in Ilorin, venue of the event, was filled to its capacity with a mammoth crowd, who were intermittently entertained with cultural songs.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who is the group’s Grand Patron was represented by his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, while the APC Deputy Gubernatorial candidate, Hon Seun Ogunniyi ADATO stood in for Rt. Hon Danladi.

Top attendees included Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muh’d Bashir Dasuki Imam Fulani; Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Shuaib Aremu Zubair; Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Usman Atolagbe Jos; Balogun Ajikobi of Ilorin, Alhaji Suleiman Abdulwahab; Baba Isalẹ of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Sidiq; among other high chiefs.

Also present were members of the Kwara State House of Assembly, led by Majority Leader, Barr. Abdulkadir Oba Magaji; Grand Matron of the group, Hon. Mariam Yusuf Aladi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Alhaji Bashir Adigun; Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam) Alhaji Ibrahim Danmeigoro; Chairman, Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado Alakawa; State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi, who was represented by the APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Babatunde Abdulwaheed; Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman Sai Kai; Chief of Staff at the Federal Ministry of Youth, Mall Muhammed Funsho Abdullahi; and General Manager, Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASIP), Dr Abdulwasiu Tejidini.

Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Dazuki, who offered the opening prayer, beseeched Allah to continue to guide the Governor aright and accord him a success of tenure.

He equally prayed for the success of the Governor’s Senatorial ambition and other candidates of the party, as well as for the continual peace, unity and development of the Emirate and the entire Kwara.

Speaking through his aide, Salau, the Governor called the gathering another testament of love and support of the people of the Emirate for the APC-led government in the state, thanking the participants for their large turnout.

He said the candidacy of Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi is divine and has enjoyed royal blessings and a wide endorsement of people across the state.

“This gathering shows that Ilorin indigenes are united for good, and are solidly behind our administration. Our father, the Emir of Ilorin, has always thanked the Almighty God for answering his fervent prayers in the ascension of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as Governor of Kwara. State,” he said.

Hon Ogunniyi ADATO, who spoke for Danladi, appreciated the organizer, Dahiri Omo Ilorin and the people of the Emirate for their genuine love and undiluted support for the APC gubernatorial candidate.

He promised to prioritize the general well-being of the citizens and build on the good legacies of Governor AbdulRazaq when elected.

Prince Fagbemi, in his comment, said Governor AbdulRazaq is a true son of Ilorin Emirate and has done exceedingly well for the state, expressing confidence that Hon Salihu Yakubu Danladi will strive to surpass his achievements when given the mandate.

“One good turn deserves another. We should ensure that our vote in Kwara Central helps our Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to win as Senator in the 2027 general elections. We should equally vote for SYD and other candidates of our party. They will not let you down,” Fagbemi said through the Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Babatunde Abdulwaheed who represented him.

Coordinator, Dahiri Omo Ilorin for SYD, Mall Abdulmajeed Arikewuyo Abdulfatai, for his part, said Danladi’s candidacy from the northern region of the state represents equity, fairness, and justice.

He said they have consulted widely especially across the nooks and crannies of Ilorin and realized that
the people of the Emirate “want unity, fairness and a future where everyone feels carried along.”

“The emergence of SYD from Kwara North has opened another chapter in our conversation about balance, inclusion and giving every part of Kwara a sense of belonging,” he said.

“We are not gathered here to create a division between Kwara Central, North or South. We are here to build bridges.”

Highlight of the occasion was the decoration of Governor AbdulRazaq and Hon Mariam Aladi as the Grand Patron and Matron of the support group.

• As Stakeholders Hail Govt, List Their Other Demands

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Citizens’ Engagement programme for the year 2027 budget has come to a glorious end in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, serving as a platform for the people of Kwara Central Senatorial District to air their views and present their requests in the next fiscal year.

The townhall meeting started on 1st September in Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area for Kwara Southerners, after which the Northerners had their turn in Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of the state.

Tuesday’s session, like before, was attended by senior government officials and key stakeholders, such as Local Council Chairmen, top bureaucrats, community and religious leaders, representatives of the civil society groups, development partners, women and youth groups, persons living with disabilities, and the media.

The traditional chiefs were present in their large numbers, including the Magaji Are of Ilorin, Alhaji Aremu Zubair; Balogun Alanamu, Dr Usman Abubakar Atolagbe Jos; Baba Isale of Ilorin, Alhaji Abdullahi Sidiq; Balogun Baare Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad and Magaji Esinrogunjo who is the Chairman for Magajis and Alanguas Forum in Ilorin Emirate, and Alhaji Isiaka Amoda Ojulari, among others.

Addressing participants, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the open budget process was part of his campaign promises that sought to rebuild public confidence in government, restore infrastructure, improve public service delivery, and place the welfare of Kwarans at the centre of governance.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Mary Arinde, said the administration has continued to engage the citizens and various stakeholders across communities to hear directly from them where the shoe pinches with a view to improving their living conditions.

AbdulRazaq touted his giant strides in critical infrastructure and capital projects that cut across the state, and assured that the 2027 budget offers another opportunity to consolidate the gains of his administration.

“Since the inception of this administration, we have maintained that a budget should never be a mere administrative routine or a closed-door exercise. Governance belongs to the people, and for any fiscal plan to deliver meaningful impact, it must directly reflect the life experiences, priorities, and voices of our citizens across the state,” the Governor said.

“Our administration remains committed to building a state where no community is left behind and where development reaches every corner of Kwara.

“Our urban renewal initiatives have transformed the landscape of llorin and other major towns. Landmark projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of township roads, Kwara Hotels, Innovation Hub Civil Service Clinic, International Conference Centre, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service office, Finance House, and other several strategic road networks, which have improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, and boosted commercial activities.”

On his part, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof Mamman Saba Jubril, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary General Service, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Shuaib, said the event was not just another meeting but a testament to the collective resolve to deepen democracy and strengthen participatory governance in Kwara State.

“Notably, we are here today because governance is not a one-way street approach. It thrives when the government listens to its people, engages with them, and incorporates their voices into the policies and programmes of the administration that will shape the life of the citizens,” he said.

Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development and a native of Ilorin West LGA, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, while praising the developmental drives of the administration, appealed for interlocking of more communities within the city.

He also requested the government to renovate mini-palaces of some traditional chiefs in the Ilorin Emirate and install solar lights for markets within his local government area.

Former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Afeez Abolore, who hails from Ilorin East, applauded the Governor for the infrastructural development across the nooks and crannies of the state, noting that the autonomy of local government has been operational and effective in the state.

Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply in the Ministry of Planning, Hajia Madinat Ajao, who read the Commissioner’s address, said the programme clearly demonstrated the unwavering commitment of the Governor AbdulRazaq to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

“Since assuming office, this administration has institutionalized participatory budgeting, ensuring that the voices of citizens remain central to government planning and resource allocation”, she said.

Vice Chairman of Asa Local Government Area, Hon Rasidat Issa;
Vice Chairman of Ilorin South LGA, Hon Mary Joel; Hon Abdulraheem Nafisat Sauta (Vice Chairman of Ilorin East), and Director Personnel Management in Ilorin West Local Government, Alhaji Hussain Sabi Saidu, in their separate remarks, appreciated the state government’s developmental projects in their respective local governments and appealed for more, especially in the area of road construction and rehabilitation.

Other stakeholders and community leaders, who spoke at the event, such as National President, Reke Community, Engr Surajeen Olaiya, Alhaji Salami Jimoh from Asa LGA, Mallam Abdulazeez Omoola from Ilorin South LGA, Mallam Garba Alao from Ilorin East LGA, Hon Maruf Onibanoje from Ilorin West and Mallam Yusuf Aderemi, took turns to appreciate the government’s presence in their respective areas, soliciting for more developmental projects in the year 2027 appropriation.

Alhaji Samsudeen Aregbe, Director of Budget, in his presentation, said the government achieved 93.5% budget performance in 2025, calling it a good development for the state.