IGP

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has cautioned officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force against arresting individuals over civil disputes or breaches of contract, stressing that such actions violate the Police Act.

Speaking yesterday at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu State, the IG represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Legal Services, Ohiozoba Ehiede reminded the Force that Section 32(2) of the Police Act explicitly restricts arrests to criminal offences.

“A person shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract,” Egbetokun reiterated, adding that no one should be detained in lieu of another person. “So, you cannot arrest a husband for an offence committed by his wife.”

The IG also addressed the recurring issue of policemen demanding “mobilisation” money before carrying out investigations, insisting that such practice is illegal and alien to the Force. “The issue of mobilisation is unknown to the Nigeria Police. Anyone asked to pay before an investigation should report to the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU),” he said, drawing loud reactions from lawyers present.

The session, themed “Citizens’ Rights and Security Concerns”, also featured the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi; prominent human rights lawyers Femi Falana (SAN) and Dr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN); as well as Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

Moderated by Babatunde Ogala (SAN), the panel discussed widespread concerns over security, human rights violations, and the need for greater accountability in law enforcement.

Egbetokun urged Nigerians to hold officers accountable by filing complaints whenever their rights are infringed upon, stressing that the Police Force must operate strictly within the provisions of the law.

No fewer than 4,449 police officers have taken the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to the National Industrial Court in Abuja, accusing the force of failing to decorate them with their new ranks after their promotions were approved by the Police Service Commission.

The suit hinges on the alleged refusal of the IG to implement the decision of the 19th plenary of the PSC, which granted their promotions in accordance with the PSC Act.

At the court hearing presided over by Justice R.B. Haastrup, on Tuesday, counsel for the claimants, Muka’ila Mavo, urged the court to compel the Nigeria Police Force and the IG to implement the approved promotions without further delay.

Mavo cited Section 6 (1)(a) of the Police Service Commission Act and Section 16(3)(a) of the Police Act, stating that these laws empower the PSC to handle appointments, promotions, and discipline of police officers, excluding the IG.

“The Supreme Court has also affirmed this position, granting judicial backing to the PSC’s authority over promotions and discipline within the police force,” Mavo argued.

In response, counsel for the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Isa Garba, declined to elaborate on the matter, stating that the Force Public Relations Officer would be in a better position to provide details.

Justice Haastrup adjourned the case till December 18 for further hearing.