On Tuesday, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, raised concerns about the unethical practice of transferring ongoing cases between police formations without proper approval.
He emphasized that such actions, which could undermine investigations and erode public trust in the police, would no longer be tolerated. The IGP also warned that officers found guilty of misusing their authority or arbitrarily transferring case files would face stringent disciplinary measures.
In addition, the Inspector-General addressed the issue of baseless petitions used to harass or intimidate individuals, particularly those exploiting police power in civil matters, such as land disputes.
Unless a case requires special review or involvement, the IGP encouraged the public to direct their petitions to the appropriate police divisions or units instead of his office to ensure a more efficient complaint process.
A statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, read: “The IGP has emphasized that transparency, professionalism, and accountability must remain central to policing. As part of this commitment, he has directed all supervising officers and personnel, particularly those in investigative units, to manage cases with integrity and care. The ongoing practice of transferring cases still under investigation between formations without authorization is now unacceptable. Such actions create unnecessary delays, put undue strain on the involved parties, and waste resources. The IGP has made it clear that cases should be investigated within the jurisdiction where the alleged offense occurred unless explicitly approved by his office.”
The IGP also reminded officers that the police have no jurisdiction over purely civil matters unless there is an underlying criminal issue. In such cases, investigations must be supervised by State Commissioners of Police, who will be held accountable for the process and outcomes.
Addressing the problem of malicious or frivolous petitions, the IGP vowed to take action. From now on, all petitions submitted to the police will require a declaration confirming their authenticity, stating that they have not been submitted to any other law enforcement agency, or that any previous submission has been withdrawn before involving the police.
Petitioners found to have filed false or malicious complaints will face appropriate penalties for providing false information to the police.
The IGP urged the public to submit complaints directly to the relevant police units, rather than his office, except in cases that require special attention or review. He also emphasized the importance of not turning civil disputes into criminal cases to manipulate police involvement.
Egbetokun reassured Nigerians of the police force’s commitment to accountability and transparency, reaffirming his dedication to upholding professionalism within the service.
“As part of his commitment to professionalism, the IGP assures Nigerians of the Force’s dedication to transparency and accountability. He calls on citizens to trust the police to deliver justice and to report any unethical practices through the proper channels. Any officer or individual found misusing the name or authority of the IGP will face severe consequences, including prosecution where necessary,” the IGP concluded.