The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has been removed from office.
Sowore made the claim on Tuesday, stating that Egbetokun had been replaced by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Lagos.
However, he did not provide any official confirmation or documentary evidence to support the allegation.
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 reach the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful. He did not answer calls but requested that a text message be sent, promising a response. As at press time, no reply had been received.
Sowore has repeatedly questioned Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, arguing that the police chief should have retired upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as acting IGP in October 2023, with the appointment taking effect from October 31, 2023.
Amid controversy over the IGP’s tenure, the Federal Government amended the Police Act to provide a single four-year term for an Inspector General of Police, regardless of age or years of service. The amendment allows Egbetokun to remain in office until October 2027.
