Documents obtained by Swift Reporters and accounts from serving and retired police officers have challenged allegations surrounding contract awards under former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
The documents reportedly show that Blue Sea Investments Ltd., a company accused by online platform Secretreporter of being unregistered, was incorporated in 1995. They also indicate that the procurement of security equipment from the company underwent a review by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
A Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) public-search record lists Blue Sea Investments Ltd. as RC 273945, incorporated on June 14, 1995.
Another document, a BPP letter dated September 10, 2024, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, concerns the proposed procurement of security equipment worth ₦1.408 billion from the company.
The items listed include 1,450 NATO Past Type ST-4 helmets valued at ₦638 million and 1,400 Armoured Vest 183 units worth ₦770 million. The letter indicates that a Due Process Certificate of No Objection could be granted for the procurement.
Egbetokun Threatens Legal Action
Egbetokun has instructed his lawyer to commence civil proceedings against publishers of reports he considers defamatory.
The former police chief said he had previously chosen to ignore the allegations to avoid giving their publishers unnecessary publicity, but added that his silence might have been mistaken for weakness.
“I don’t have time for miscreants who thrive only on blackmail. Responding to them will give the falsehoods unnecessary publicity. I know their sponsors and know their motives,” he said.
He expressed confidence that those responsible would be exposed and held accountable.
Speculation has also emerged online about a possible new appointment for Egbetokun by President Bola Tinubu. The former IGP neither confirmed nor denied the speculation and declined further comment.
Helicopter Procurement
A source at Force Headquarters told Swift Reporters that the police helicopter contract was awarded through due process.
According to the source, the contractor received funds late, making it difficult to purchase the aircraft under the original terms. The contractor subsequently requested a variation, which Egbetokun forwarded to the BPP for consideration.
The source claimed that the BPP approved the variation before Egbetokun left office, but that funding constraints prevented the process from being completed.
When the police urgently needed a helicopter for operations against bandits in the North-West and North-Central, the contractor reportedly proposed supplying a fairly used aircraft with the funds already advanced.
Egbetokun allegedly rejected the proposal, insisting that the BPP approval covered only a brand-new helicopter.
The source further said the revised arrangement had not been paid for when Egbetokun handed over. It added that the current IGP, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was aware of the situation and was working to conclude the procurement and secure delivery.
Feeding and Dry-Ration Payments
Sources told Swift Reporters that funding allocations were approved for the Force’s eight departments, 17 zonal commands, 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command.
According to the sources, the heads of these units manage their allocations and operational requirements, with approvals also handled at departmental and command levels.
They explained that purchases such as tissue paper, cartons of milk and dry rations are ordinarily subject to administrative, financial and procurement procedures, depending on delegated authority.
The sources argued that it would be unrealistic for the IGP to personally approve every purchase across an organisation as large as the Nigeria Police Force.
They also pointed to the roles of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Public Accounts and Budget and the Force Procurement Officer in financial administration and procurement compliance.
Serving, Retired Officers Defend Egbetokun
A serving senior police officer described Egbetokun as incorruptible and respected within the Force.
“Egbetokun does not seek gratification from anybody, and you may even get into trouble for trying to offer him gratification,” the officer said.
A retired officer who worked closely with the former IGP also defended his record, saying he followed established procedures.
“Egbetokun does not cut corners. He is a man who follows due process to its logical conclusion,” the retired officer said, while criticising the circulation of unverified allegations on social media.
A retired police commissioner alleged that some individuals behind the publications were serving officers unhappy with Egbetokun’s strict enforcement of rules.
“The thieves are the ones ganging up against Egbetokun to tarnish his reputation with falsehoods by using social media,” the commissioner alleged.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, had yet to issue an official response to the publication as of the time of the report.
