….. Says AIG Idowu Owohunwa manipulated his birth dates to push his retirement dates forward.
The South West Youth Alliance has berated one Mr Simon Asamber Lough SAN for saying that he was sacked because “he refused to back a plot against the emergence of embattled AIG Idowu Owohunwa as the next Inspector General of Police (IGP)”.
Responding on behalf of the Alliance, the Director of Publicity of the Alliance, Taiwo Adegbenga, said that the appointment of Inspector General of Police from among serving members of the Nigeria Police Force lies with the President, on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council.
“The narration “that Owohunwa would emerge as the longest-serving IGP in line with the amended Police Act 2020” is baseless, mischievous and ridiculous coming from Mr Simon Asamber Lough SAN, Adegbenga said.
“It was widely reported in the media, especially by SaharaReporters, where documents show that Lough was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on January 8, 1987, and should have retired from service on January 8, 2022, after 35 years of active service.
“This contradicts the claim made by the police that Lough was enlisted as a Cadet in 2000.
“A police statement issued by Frank Mba, the former Force Public Relations Officer, to celebrate Lough for becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on December 8, 2021, said, “ACP Simon Lough, a Police prosecutor par excellence, was appointed as a cadet officer (ASP) into the service of the Nigeria Police Force in the year 2000. Twenty-one (21) years down the line in Public Service, ACP Lough has served in various departments of the Force including the legal section, and held national positions on implementing legal policies for the country.”
“Meanwhile, according to the legal section general nominal roll (Federal Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department), Abuja, obtained by SaharaReporters, Lough, whose date of birth reads May 14, 1969, has January 1, 1987, recorded as his date of enlistment and January 1, 2022, as his date of retirement.
“Going by this, Lough has served as a policeman for 18 months beyond his expected date of retirement.
“According to the Nominal Roll for Cadet ASP (Force Entrants) for Cadet ASP Course 20/2000-2001 at Police Staff College in Jos, Plateau State, obtained by SaharaReporters, Lough’s former rank was listed as Sergeant on Grade Level 05.
“Also, SaharaReporters obtained letters dated July 10, 2023, addressed to the Inspector General of Police and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission to explain why Lough was still in service 18 months after he was due to retire from the Force.
“The allegation that kicked him out of the force was sponsored by “high-profile fraudsters” whom he was “prosecuting in billions of naira and dollars is baseless. We wish to remind Mr Simon Asamber Lough SAN that before he joined the Force, the Nigeria police were handling high-profile cases, and under IGP Egbetokun, high-profile cases are handled professionally and diligently.
“The appointment of Commissioner of Police lies with the Police Service Commission, and there are hundreds of police personnel qualified to be Commissioner of Police (Legal Department) aside from Mr Simon Asamber Lough SAN, so, therefore, the allegation that he was forced to retire is also malicious.
Adegbenga further said, “There is no doubt that AIG Idowu Owohunwa manipulated his birth dates to push his retirement dates forward to retire in 2029.
“It is pertinent to note that “Force Entrant” is a scheme by the Nigeria Police Force where deserving officers with requisite educational records are upgraded to a higher cadre after a brief training period at the Police Academy or at any approved Police College, and as such, it is not a fresh appointment.
“Essentially, this implies that the service duration of such officers continues counting and does not automatically restart.
“Therefore, according to the Public Service Rules (7 Rule 020810 of Chapter Two), AIG Idowu Owohunwa, having served in the public service and received salaries as required by law, cannot remain in service beyond the legally permitted period, the statement concluded.
