The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has been removed from office.
Sowore claimed that Egbetokun had been replaced by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, FCIID, in Lagos.
He, however, did not provide official confirmation to back the claim.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no statement from the Presidency or the Nigeria Police Force confirming the development.
Efforts to get a confirmation from Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were not successful. Hundeyin did not answer calls placed to his phone.
He subsequently sent a message asking that a text message be forwarded to him, assuring that he would respond.
However, as at press time, he had yet to reply.
Sowore has repeatedly questioned Egbetokun’s tenure, arguing that the police chief ought to have exited office upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as acting Inspector-General of Police in October 2023, pending confirmation by the National Assembly.
The appointment took effect on October 31, 2023.
Following controversy over the IGP’s tenure, the Federal Government sponsored an amendment to the Police Act providing for a single four-year term for an Inspector-General of Police, irrespective of age or years of service.
The provision allows Egbetokun to remain in office until October 2027.