Egbetokun’s tenure as IGP was marked by numerous controversies. His prolonged stay in office, despite clear retirement rules, became a central point of criticism.
Despite his forced retirement, former Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has remained at the police IG house, reportedly plotting to be allowed to contest as the senatorial candidate for his constituency in Ogun State.
According to Egbetokun’s online biography, he hails from Erinja, a town in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, which is part of the Ogun West Senatorial District.
“Egbetokun has stayed at the police IG house and is plotting to be allowed to be the senatorial candidate for his Ogun State Senatorial District,” a top police source told SaharaReporters.
On Tuesday, February 24, SaharaReporters broke the news that President Bola Tinubu had forced Egbetokun to resign from office.
He was subsequently succeeded as IGP by Tunji Disu, who previously headed the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that some police officers celebrated upon hearing the news of Egbetokun’s removal from office.
Egbetokun’s tenure as IGP was marked by numerous controversies. His prolonged stay in office, despite clear retirement rules, became a central point of criticism.
His term was extended beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service, prompting civil society groups and critics to argue that his continued leadership violated police regulations.
The situation sparked heated debates about favoritism and disregard for institutional discipline.
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported on the rapid promotions of Bukola Yemisi Kuti, a Principal Staff Officer under Egbetokun, under circumstances that critics deemed questionable.
Allegations suggested that her closeness to the IGP gave her undue advantage, fueling perceptions of nepotism and favoritism within the police force.
Sources further alleged that Kuti was personally linked to Egbetokun as his mistress, intensifying the controversy surrounding her promotions.
The news outlet also reported that ₦100 million from Anambra State’s security vote was traced to the account of Victor, Egbetokun’s son. This sparked significant public concern over possible diversion of state security funds for personal benefit.
Rather than allowing independent investigations into these allegations, police authorities used institutional resources to pursue legal action against individuals and media platforms reporting on the matter.
During this period, Egbetokun’s office made headlines for initiating lawsuits against journalists and activists.
He filed multiple charges against activist Omoyele Sowore and SaharaReporters after Sowore publicly referred to him as an “illegal IGP.”
This escalated into a legal battle, with the Federal High Court issuing injunctions restricting further publications concerning Egbetokun and members of his family. Critics viewed these legal actions as attempts to silence dissent and undermine press freedom.
Following additional reports by Sowore and SaharaReporters regarding alleged promotions and financial improprieties, Egbetokun’s camp responded with further litigation. Court orders were issued restraining both Sowore and SaharaReporters from publishing additional reports concerning Egbetokun, his son Victor, and Bukola Kuti.
Observers argued that, instead of addressing the allegations transparently, the police leadership appeared focused on using legal measures to defend personal and professional interests.
This reinforced perceptions of an embattled Inspector-General relying on state authority to protect himself.
Source: Sahara Reporters
Post a Comment