By Kelvin Adegbenga
The recent judgment of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, ordering the immediate reinstatement of 196 officers from Cadet ASP Force Courses 18, 19, and 20 who had been dismissed by the Nigeria Police authorities, has generated much public interest.
While the decision may appear, on the surface, as a victory for the affected officers, it is important to stress that this ruling is not final.
The Nigeria Police Force, like every other institution, retains the constitutional right of appeal up to the Supreme Court. The National Industrial Court, though empowered to handle labour and employment disputes, is not a court of last resort.
Its judgments are subject to review by higher courts, and until the appellate process is exhausted, the matter remains unsettled in law.
Beyond the procedural issue, the substantive matter also deserves close attention. Age falsification is a serious criminal and disciplinary offence under Nigerian law. It not only undermines the integrity of public service but also erodes the trust that society places in its law enforcement officers.
The allegations against the dismissed officers, that they manipulated both their ages and service records, are not trivial.
It is crucial to clarify that in the Nigeria Police Force, service years begin from the date of initial enlistment into the force, not from when an officer commences cadet training at the Police Academy.
Attempting to reset or conceal years of service by manipulating personal records amounts to fraud, and such acts compromise the standards of discipline and accountability that are fundamental to policing.
The available evidence reportedly points to clear cases of manipulation by some of the affected officers. This not only violates police service regulations but also stands in breach of ethical and legal expectations of officers entrusted with enforcing the law.
In light of these realities, the reinstatement order, while binding for now, should not be misconstrued as a final exoneration. The Nigeria Police authorities still have the legitimate window to challenge the judgment at the appellate level.
Until the higher courts pronounce a definitive ruling, the case remains very much alive.
At its core, this matter is not merely about the careers of 196 individuals; it is about the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force and the rule of law.
If officers who manipulate their ages and service years are allowed to escape accountability, it will set a dangerous precedent and weaken the very foundation of discipline in the service.
Kelvin Adegbenga is the National Coordinator of Integrity Youth Alliance and writes from Lagos.
