Disquiet Grips Nigeria Police Force as Inspector-General Egbetokun Faces Allegations of Victimising Officers to Shield Cash-Hauling Cartel
A wave of unease swept through the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters over the weekend following revelations of how Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun allegedly victimised officers to protect a cartel accused of ferrying suspicious banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
PulseNets learned from security insiders that the syndicate’s operation unraveled on August 26, 2023, when four police inspectors flagged a suspicious consignment at Abuja airport. This led to the arrest of five suspects and the launch of a financial crimes investigation that lasted several weeks.
Suspects and Seized Cash
The suspects, who referred to themselves as “contractors” without elaborating, admitted to transporting large sums of cash from the CBN to Lagos for years — even before the 2022 naira redesign. However, they failed to identify the CBN staff involved in facilitating the transfers.
PulseNets learnt the group was intercepted at the domestic wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as they attempted to load bundles of freshly minted N500 and N200 notes worth tens of millions of naira onto a Lagos-bound aircraft. The conduct of the suspects raised further suspicion among security agents.
According to police insiders who spoke to PulseNets, the Inspector-General’s monitoring unit quickly intervened, taking over the case and removing the suspects — including their ringleader, Andrew Ejah — from AIG Zone 7’s custody. The suspects were later released, but not without controversy.
The suspects claimed the money, initially totaling N75 million, had been depleted to N32 million while in police custody, sparking further tension. Despite these allegations, the suspects reportedly refused to reclaim the funds.
Trials and Controversy
The case took a dramatic turn when the four officers responsible for the arrests — Ekende Edwin, Esther Okafor, Patrick Nwande, and Talabi Kayode — were detained on the orders of the IGP. They were accused of tampering with the cash evidence.
PulseNets reported that the first orderly room trial, conducted in December 2023, cleared the officers of wrongdoing. It was concluded that there was no evidence to substantiate claims of exhibit tampering, and no receipt documented the initial amount of money seized. This verdict was issued under reference number 7370/SPM/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.15/98.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Mr. Egbetokun ordered a second trial. However, PulseNets learnt that the verdict released on February 20, 2024, remained unchanged, again exonerating the officers. The report, referenced 6350/SPM/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.11/105, highlighted the lack of evidence linking the officers to the alleged theft.
Despite this, the IGP insisted on a third trial, a move that caused significant disquiet within the force. Many officers, including senior members, questioned why Mr. Egbetokun was relentlessly pursuing his subordinates despite their repeated exoneration.
Suspicions of High-Level Interference
The situation led to speculation that the IGP might have personal stakes in shielding the cartel. PulseNets learned that Mr. Ejah, the alleged ringleader, admitted their operations had gone undetected for years, including during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. This revelation pointed to the involvement of influential individuals behind the scenes.
“The IG was the one who exposed himself,” a senior officer told PulseNets under anonymity. “He should blame only himself for this scandal.”
A Pattern of Controversy
The IGP has faced similar accusations in the past. PulseNets recalled that in April, anti-corruption group HEDA accused Mr. Egbetokun of undermining investigations into high-profile individuals, such as APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, by withdrawing police officers attached to the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.
“It is deeply troubling that law enforcement resources are being redirected away from combating corruption,” a joint statement from HEDA and other civil rights groups stated.
A Test of Leadership
The continued pursuit of the inspectors has angered the police hierarchy, with calls for intervention by the Police Service Commission (PSC). “The IG should have backed down, but he kept chasing the officers because he was offended they did their job,” a senior officer told PulseNets.
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Mr. Egbetokun and Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi did not return requests for comments. Meanwhile, it remains unclear how President Tinubu, who shares a long-standing relationship with the IGP, will respond to the matter.
This unfolding scandal raises serious questions about law enforcement’s independence and the extent of corruption within its ranks.
