In civil disputes, especially those involving land ownership, Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Mr. Kayode Egbetokun has issued a warning against the abuse of police power.
In a statement released Tuesday in Abuja, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, stated as much.
Police personnel, according to Egbetokun, have no authority over civil cases unless there is a criminal component at play.
He asserts that the state’s Commissioners of Police, who will be held responsible for the investigation’s course and conclusion, must supervise it even in these situations.
The I-G also expressed worry over the use of public office by some officials and persons, as well as the unnecessary and unethical practice of shifting ongoing cases.
According to Egbetokun, the actions that impede investigations and erode public trust in the force will no longer be accepted.
The guiding principles of the nation’s policing, he said, must continue to be accountability, professionalism, and transparency.
Accordingly, casework should be handled diligently and honorably by all supervising officers and staff, especially those in investigative units.
He declared that “severe disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found to be misusing their office or transferring case files arbitrarily.”
According to him, the frequent practice of moving unapproved cases between formations that are still being investigated has been judged intolerable.
Such measures waste resources, cause needless delays, and place an excessive strain on all parties concerned, according to Egbetokun.
Egbetokun pledged to resolve the matter and denounced the submission of baseless or malevolent petitions intended to scare or harass.
According to him, going forward, a statement attesting to the validity and genuineness of each petition must be included with any one sent to the police.
The petition needs to make it clear that no other law enforcement agency received the complaint, he said.
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“If it had, it must have been withdrawn before involving the police,” the police chief stated.
According to him, “petitioners who are found to have filed baseless petitions will be subject to the appropriate sanctions for providing the police with false information.”
Instead of going through the I-G’s office, Egbetokun advised the public to contact the relevant Police Commands, Divisions, or Units directly with their grievances and petitions.
“Unless there are circumstances that call for review, appeal, or special intervention,” he stated.
The I-G warned the public against manipulating police intervention by portraying civil conflicts as criminal cases.
