Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has described the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as an acknowledgment that his tenure lacked legal backing.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Sowore alleged that Egbetokun’s continued stay in office was unlawful.
“This removal or resignation, as they like to address it, is an acknowledgment of the fact that his tenure was never legit,” Sowore said.
The activist further accused the former IGP of using force against police personnel who demanded improved welfare and working conditions.
ALSO READ [VIEWPOINT] Genocide of Police careers? – Mahmud Jega
According to him, officers who participated in or supported protests for better welfare were subjected to intimidation, arrest and detention.
“He did use force. I was arrested after we carried out the police protest, detained and attacked inside a cell at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) by men of the police force led by a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP),” he said.
Sowore alleged that several officers who circulated messages on WhatsApp groups advocating better welfare and promoting the protests were arrested, dismissed or detained for months.
“Several policemen who forwarded messages and WhatsApp posts asking for better welfare and promoting our protests were also arrested. Many of them were kicked out of the police force, while some were detained for several months. So, he did use force,” he added.
He also claimed that during Egbetokun’s time at the police headquarters, there were signs of internal dissatisfaction among personnel.
The former presidential candidate further accused the ex-IGP of failing to address insecurity and professional standards within the force.
“He was the person who declared that he was the tiger himself; he was a sheep throughout his tenure. He did nothing to curb criminal activities, nothing to actually bring professionalism,” Sowore said.
He maintained that the controversy surrounding Egbetokun’s tenure extension raised constitutional and legal concerns.
“The principle here is that when someone is retired and the law did not give you the permission to extend your tenure for four years, you should not attempt to do so,” he stated.
Sowore also alleged irregularities in promotions within the police, claiming that some officers who did not merit advancement were promoted, while others who deserved elevation were sidelined.
According to him, sustained protests contributed to the eventual promotion of about 74,000 police personnel and the removal of over 500 senior officers.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Egbetokun or the police authorities regarding the allegations.
