Simon Lough, Nigeria Police Legal Chief, Among Those Under Investigation for ‘Altering Records to Postpone Retirement’

A high-profile investigation is underway in Nigeria’s police force, involving several senior officers, including the Head of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Legal Section, Simon Lough, SAN.

The Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into allegations of backdated history records.

The Head of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Legal Section, Simon Lough, SAN, is one of the prominent senior police officers being investigated for backdating their history records.

SaharaReporters reported on Saturday that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered the immediate investigation of the Head of INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Abdul Yari, and some other senior police officers who allegedly engaged in the unethical practice of backdating their history records.

This was contained in a memo sent to the head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, dated January 13, 2025 and signed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Secretary, AIG Olofu Rhoda.

According to the memo exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, DCP Simon Asamber Lough (SAN); AIG Abdul Yari; AIG Idowu Owohunwa; AIG Ben Igwe; CP Peter Ukachi Opara; CP Obo Obo Ukani; and ACP Akpan Brown, engaged in the unethical practice of backdating their history records.

The IGP ordered their investigation following a letter dated January 6, 2025 to that effect by a civic group, the Integrity Youth Alliance, Abuja.

BACKGROUND

On July 23, 2023, SaharaReporters reported how a document it had exclusively obtained showed 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, then Force Public Relations Officer to celebrate Lough for becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on December 8, 2021, had said, “Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Simon Asamber Lough, the Head of Chambers, Legal Section of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been conferred with the prestigious and covetous rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

“The elevation of the Officer is on the heels of his outstanding contribution to the development of law in Nigeria, in addition to his enviable feats in the legal profession. He was sworn in today, 8th December, 2021 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria following recommendations and approval by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).

“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.”

However, in an interview he had with Adekunle Olanipekun, the immediate past Chairman of Young Lawyers Forum, DCP Lough said he was called to the bar on January 1, 2001.

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, as of July 2023, Lough had served as a policeman for 18 months beyond his expected date of retirement.

Currently, Lough has served for three years 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 letters were written and signed by the MD/CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, Joseph Benjamin and received at the Force headquarters in Abuja on July 18, 2023.

Titled, ‘Request For Information About The Records Of DCP Simon Lough, Enlisted With Force No: 57917,’ the letter reads, “We write as empowered by the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to seek information/clarification that the above officer with force number 57917 was enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on the 8th January 1987 and should have retired on 8th January 2022 after 35 years of active service.

“Kindly furnish us on whose authority he has remained in the public service as a policeman in the last 18 months.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Integrity Youth Alliance, Danjuma Lamido, told SaharaReporters: “It is important to note that Force Entrant is a scheme by the Nigeria Police Force designed to upgrade deserving officers with the requisite educational qualifications to a higher cadre.

“This is done following a brief training period at the Police Academy or any approved Police College. As such, it does not constitute a fresh appointment.”

According to Danjuma, “Essentially, this implies that the service duration of such officers continues counting and does not automatically restart.”

Danjuma noted that this deliberate act of deception not only undermines the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force but also calls into question the credibility of the information provided by all police personnel.

The group called on the Inspector General of Police to enforce the Public Service Rules; 7 Rule 020810 of Chapter two (2) of the Public Service Rules (PSR) (i) The compulsory retirement age for all grades in the Service shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier. (ii) No officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.

In February 2024, Lough was also accused of abusing his office to orchestrate the illegal arrest and manipulation of legal processes within the police force against citizens on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force.

The incident occurred on March 25, 2024, when Mr. Lough reportedly directed police officers to arrest Mr. Benjamin Joseph, MD of Citadel Oracle Concept Ltd, over a defamation complaint allegedly lodged by Zinox Technologies Limited.

SaharaReporters gathered that a separate group of unidentified individuals in a Sienna car, armed and aggressive, joined the arrest, forcibly abducting Benjamin and transporting him to the IRS office in Abuja.

Mr. Benjamin’s lawyer, Chief J.S. Okutepa, SAN, revealed in a petition dated February 2024 to the Attorney General’s Chambers that his client had been detained overnight without bail and subjected to degrading treatment.

He said the following day, he was taken to the Chief Magistrates Court in Karu, Nasarawa State, presided over by Magistrate Vincent Gwahemba.

SaharaReporters learnt that upon investigation, it was discovered that no formal complaint or charges had been filed or served on Benjamin, which raised concerns about the legality of his arrest and detention.

Legal documents revealed that Lough had filed a direct criminal complaint on October 9, 2023, which was reportedly used to justify the remand order against Benjamin.

However, Chief J.S. Okutepa argued that the order was an abuse of power and a deliberate attempt to cover up the unlawful detention of his client.

Chief J.S. Okutepa further disclosed that a complaint was lodged against Chief Magistrate Vincent Gwahemba to the Hon. Chief Judge and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Judicial Service Commission, highlighting the procedural irregularities in the process leading to Benjamin’s detention.

Meanwhile, evidence obtained from the Federal Capital Territory Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2 revealed that the remand order used to detain Mr. Benjamin Joseph was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Lough on October 9, 2023.

Documents attached as Exhibit JSO3 indicate that the order may have been procured to justify the unlawful detention of Mr. Joseph.

In a statement, Chief Okutepa accused Simon Lough of abusing his office and using officers under his command to manipulate the judicial process for personal or external interests.

Also, SaharaReporters obtained letters dated July 10, 2023, addressed to the Inspector General of Police and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, requesting to know why Lough was still in service 18 months after he was due to retire from the Force.

The letters were written and signed by the MD/CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, Joseph Benjamin and received at the Force headquarters in Abuja on July 18, 2023.

Titled, ‘Request For Information About The Records Of DCP Simon Lough, Enlisted With Force No: 57917,’ the letter reads, “We write as empowered by the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to seek information/clarification that the above officer with force number 57917 was enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on the 8th January 1987 and should have retired on 8th January 2022 after 35 years of active service.

“Kindly furnish us on whose authority he has remained in the public service as a policeman in the last 18 months.”