The abuse of police power in civil issues, especially those involving land ownership, has been cautioned against by Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G).
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, made this claim in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Egbetokun, unless there is a criminal component at play, police officers have no authority over civil cases.
He asserts that even in these situations, the state’s Commissioners of Police, who will be held responsible for the investigation’s course and conclusion, must supervise it.
Concerns were also expressed by the I-G regarding the unethical and unnecessary practice of moving ongoing cases, as well as the abuse of public office by certain officers and people.
Egbetokun declared that the actions would no longer be accepted since they impede investigations and erode public trust in the police.
He stated that accountability, professionalism, and transparency must continue to be the cornerstones of the nation’s policing system.
Accordingly, all supervising officers and staff members—especially those in investigative units—should treat cases with care and honesty.
“Any officer found misusing their office or transferring case files arbitrarily will face severe disciplinary action,” he stated.
He claimed that it was no longer appropriate to repeatedly move cases that were still being investigated across formations without permission.
Such measures, according to Egbetokun, waste resources, cause needless delays, and place an excessive strain on all parties concerned.
Egbetokun promised to do something about the filing of harmful or pointless petitions intended to harass or intimidate people.
He said that going future, a statement attesting to the petitions’ validity and veracity must be included with every one sent to the police.
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According to him, it must be made very clear in the petition that no other law enforcement agency had received the complaint.
According to the police chief, if it had, it had to have been withdrawn before the police were called.
“Those found to have filed baseless petitions will be subject to the proper penalties for providing the police with false information,” he stated.
Instead of going to the I-G’s office, Egbetokun advised the public to direct their grievances and petitions to the relevant Police Commands, Divisions, or Units.
“Unless there is a need for review, appeal, or special intervention,” he stated.
To influence police action, the I-G warned the people not to frame civil issues as criminal concerns.
