Court
The National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, has set aside an interim injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force and Police Service Commission from implementing the reinstatement of officers of Cadet ASP Courses 18, 19 and 20.
Justice Buhari Sani set aside the order on September 28, 2026, in Suit No. NICN/KN/51/2026, instituted by Advocacy for Human Rights and Cultural Values for Development Initiatives.
The court held that the applicant failed to disclose a material fact concerning an earlier judgment of the National Industrial Court in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025, which had been affirmed by the Court of Appeal.
The court consequently set aside the September 22 interim injunction on grounds including lack of jurisdiction and abuse of court process.
The order had restrained the police authorities and the PSC from implementing the reinstatement of the affected officers pending the hearing of an application for interlocutory injunction.
The latest development followed the reinstatement of the officers by the PSC after a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on April 14, 2026.
Following the judgment, the commission, in a letter dated June 29, 2026, with reference PSC/2116/II/234, reinstated officers of Cadet ASP Courses 18, 19 and 20 Force Entrants.
The Inspector-General of Police subsequently directed the reinstated officers, in a July 31, 2026 letter with reference CB:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/Vol.2/238, to undergo a six-month induction course at the Police Staff College, Jos.
Officers of the rank of ACP and above were later directed to report to the National Institute of Police Studies, Life Camp, Abuja, while those from CSP to SP remained at the Police Staff College, Jos.
However, some participants have alleged that they were subjected to harsh welfare conditions during the programme.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, some of the officers alleged that they were denied feeding allowances and had not received salaries since January 2025.
They further alleged that some participants had been forced to borrow money to meet their basic needs, while two to four officers were accommodated in small rooms.
The controversy deepened on September 24 when the interim injunction in NICN/KN/51/2026 was served on officers undergoing the induction programme.
The participants alleged that the following day, September 25, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Training and Development directed participants at the Police Staff College, Jos, and NIPS, Abuja, to immediately vacate their hostels with their belongings and return to their respective states.
The directive was reportedly issued in compliance with the interim order.
The officers have questioned the circumstances surrounding the directive, particularly against the backdrop of the earlier judgment affirmed by the Court of Appeal and the subsequent reinstatement carried out by the PSC.
The dispute also centres on the treatment of Force Entrants under the Cadet ASP scheme.
The affected officers said they were serving junior police officers who acquired higher qualifications and applied for the Cadet scheme when it was advertised.
They said successful applicants from different backgrounds, including military personnel, teachers, vehicle inspection officers and serving police personnel, were appointed as Cadet officers and underwent the same 18-month training before passing out together.
The officers alleged that a distinction was subsequently created between Force Entrants and Direct Entrants, which they said had generated tension and perceived unequal treatment within the Force.
They have appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association and civil society organisations to intervene in the matter.
They warned that continued division within the Force could affect its cohesion and operational effectiveness.
