The Sahara Reporters has taken to it’s official X handle and announced that that the National Industrial Court has annulled the premature retirement of late Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Moses Ambakina Jitoboh, reinstating him posthumously. This decision has reignited public discourse over systemic injustice in Nigeria, as Jitoboh, a decorated police officer and former aide-de-camp to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 54 after a brief illness.
The reinstatement was revealed by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in a poignant post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. He lamented the untimely death of Jitoboh, whose legal battle to contest his premature retirement in 2023 was delayed in Nigeria’s sluggish justice system.
Moses Jitoboh, who was the most senior officer in the Nigeria Police Force at the time, was controversially retired in 2023, allegedly to clear the path for the appointment of the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Despite filing a lawsuit challenging what he considered an unlawful termination of his service, the case suffered prolonged delays.
“Judgment was due last month but wasn’t ready,” Odinkalu disclosed in his post. “Two weeks later, Moses died prematurely at 54. Today, the National Industrial Court nullified his retirement and reinstated him. #RIP.”
Jitoboh’s death has added another layer of tragedy to this saga. The exact cause of his death remains unknown, but sources have confirmed that an autopsy is underway to provide clarity. His passing has left many questioning whether the emotional toll of the protracted legal battle and perceived injustice contributed to his demise.
The court’s decision to reinstate Jitoboh posthumously has sparked widespread outrage on social media. Many Nigerians see this as yet another example of how delays and inefficiencies in the country’s justice system continue to frustrate those seeking redress.
One user, @AppTayo, expressed indignation, tweeting, “In this oppressive system, everyone is a victim. The best bet for all is for all to resist oppression.”
Others have called for reforms to ensure justice is timely and accessible, emphasizing that no citizen, regardless of their status, should endure such systemic oppression.
Jitoboh’s career was marked by distinguished service. As a seasoned officer and former aide-de-camp to a sitting president, he was widely respected for his professionalism and dedication. His premature retirement not only cut short a promising career but also raised critical questions about transparency and fairness within the police force’s promotion and retirement processes.
The reinstatement of Jitoboh, though significant, comes too late to restore his career or address the anguish he endured. It serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for a more efficient and accountable justice system in Nigeria.
As Nigerians mourn the loss of a distinguished officer and reflect on the implications of this ruling, the call for systemic reforms grows louder. The legacy of Moses Ambakina Jitoboh will now stand as both a testament to the perils of injustice and a rallying cry for change.
PIONEER NEWS 