Taiwo Popoola
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Tuesday, expressed worries over what he termed the “unwarranted and unethical” practice of transferring ongoing cases and the misuse of public offices by certain officers.
The IGP warned that any officer found engaging in the indiscriminate transfer of case files or misusing their office will henceforth “face strict disciplinary actions.”
The police boss, in a statement issued Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stressed that these practices “undermine investigations and diminish public confidence in the force.”
The IGP vowed that such practices will no longer be tolerated.
Egbetokun emphasized that transparency, professionalism, and accountability must remain the guiding principles of policing in the country.
The statement revealed that the IGP has already directed all supervising officers and personnel, particularly those in investigative units, to handle cases with diligence and integrity.
On land matters, the IGP reminded officers that the police have no jurisdiction over purely civil matters “unless there is an underlying criminal element, and even in such cases, investigations must be overseen by the State Commissioners of Police, who will be held accountable for the process and outcome.”
The IGP also addressed the issue of filing frivolous or malicious petitions aimed at harassment or intimidation.
“Moving forward, all petitions submitted to the police must now include a declaration confirming their authenticity and genuineness, and stating that the complaint has not been submitted to any other law enforcement agency or, if it has, that it has been withdrawn before involving the police.
“Petitioners found to have filed frivolous petitions will be made to face the appropriate sanctions for giving false information to the police,” the statement added.
