Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Simon Asamber Lough was widely celebrated as having made history in December 2021 when he became the first police officer in Nigeria to be admitted to the Inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
However, a document obtained by SaharaReporters shows 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, “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.”
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.
Lough is currently the Head of the Chambers of the Nigeria Police Force.
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 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.”
At the time of filing this report, Benjamin had yet to get a response from either the Inspector General of Police of the Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
