The high-profile legal battle between Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and five retired senior police officers accused of falsifying their ages stalled on Thursday after the defendants failed to appear in court.
At the resumed hearing, Prosecution Counsel Rimamsonte Ezekiel informed the court that despite three adjournments, the defendants—Benneth Igwe, Simon Lough, Idowu Owohunwa, Ukachi Opara, and Obo Ukam—had consistently failed to honour court summons. He urged Justice Yusuf Halilu to either continue proceedings in their absence or issue a bench warrant for their arrest.
Justice Halilu declined the request, noting that since the defendants were granted administrative bail by the police, it was the prosecution’s duty to ensure their presence.
Defence Counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Terkaa Aondo, countered that his clients had not been formally served with the charges and disclosed he had already filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the case. He confirmed that the prosecution had been served with his motion.
Justice Halilu ruled that the objection would only be addressed once the defendants appeared in person. He directed the defence to ensure their attendance at the next sitting before adjourning the matter to November 17 for arraignment.
What you should know
The five retired officers are facing a 14-count charge of alleged age falsification brought by the IGP.
The case has been delayed by repeated absences of the defendants. Justice Yusuf Halilu has insisted the arraignment must take place in person, with the next hearing fixed for November 17.
