IGP Issues Warning on Police Involvement in Civil Disputes

Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), has issued a warning against the abuse of police power in civil issues, especially those involving land ownership.

This was said in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer.

According to Egbetokun, police officers are not empowered to handle civil cases unless there is a criminal component at play.

Even in these situations, he said, investigations must be supervised by the state’s Commissioners of Police, who will be responsible for the procedure and results.

Concerns regarding the unnecessary and unethical practice of transferring ongoing cases as well as the abuse of public office by some officers and individuals were also brought up by the I-G.

The actions, which impede investigations and erode public trust in the force, will no longer be accepted, according to Egbetokun.

According to him, the nation’s policing must continue to be guided by the values of accountability, professionalism, and transparency.

Accordingly, all staff members and supervising officials, especially those in investigative units, ought to treat cases with thoroughness and honesty.

“Any officer who is discovered to be misusing their office or transferring case files arbitrarily will be subject to severe disciplinary measures,” he stated.

According to him, it has been decided that the frequent practice of moving cases that are still being investigated between formations without permission is inappropriate.

According to Egbetokun, such measures waste resources, cause needless delays, and place an excessive strain on all parties.

Egbetokun pledged to solve the problem and denounced the submission of baseless or malicious petitions intended to annoy or intimidate.

He stated that going forward, a declaration attesting to the validity and legitimacy of the petitions must be included with every one sent to the police.

According to him, the petition needs to make it very evident that no other law enforcement agency had received the complaint.

If it had, it must have been withdrawn before the police were called, according to the police chief.

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He declared that anyone who submitted pointless petitions would be subject to the proper penalties for providing the police with misleading information.

Instead of submitting concerns and petitions to the I-G’s office, Egbetokun advised the public to go straight to the relevant Police Commands, Divisions, or Units.

Except in situations that call for review, appeal, or special intervention, he said.

The public was warned by the I-G not to influence police intervention by portraying civil disputes as criminal cases.