Alleged N234bn scandal rocks Police, PAACA demand’s Egbedokun’s explanations

The leadership of Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) and other prominent Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have restated the need for urgent reforms in the Nigeria Police Force.

This is coming as the right activists demanded explanations from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over alleged misappropriation of sum of ₦234 billion.

Addressing a press conference Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Director of PAACA), Ezenwa Nwagwu,
The CSOs have submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the development.

Ezenwa said the recent developments have raised serious questions about the prudent management of resources within the force.

He expressed worry over reports circulating in the media and from whistleblowers alleging possible financial misconduct under the current leadership of the force.

Ezenwa stated: “Reports circulating on social media that over ₦234 billion may have been mismanaged under the current administration of the Police Force call for serious concern and deserve a transparent and detailed response or explanation.”

He added that some of these allegations.as they have read, involved claims of diversion of funds for internal security, contract awards, and disposal of Police Assets to cronies.

Ezenwa added: “For instance, we expect an explanation to reports alleging a ₦6 billion contract for police uniforms was split into 66 smaller contracts—each just under the procurement threshold—despite a prior budgetary allocation for the same purpose?

“Could it be true that On January 16, 2024, through internal memo CQ 6000/DLS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.83/946, IGP Egbetokun reportedly approved the award of a ₦6 billion contract for the supply of police uniforms, an amount well beyond his approval threshold.

“To evade financial regulations, the contract was alleged to have been illegally split into sixty-six (66) separate awards, each valued under ₦100 million, all awarded to a single company, a certain Messrs Crown Natures Nigeria Plc, in direct violation of the Public Procurement Act.

“To fund this massive irregularity, IGP Egbetokun allegedly diverted ₦6 billion from the Police Internal Security Operations budgetary allocation, money originally meant to enhance operational readiness in combating internal threats.

“Shockingly, this diversion occurred despite the Police Force already receiving and utilizing a ₦7.34 billion allocation in the 2024 budget for the procurement of uniforms.”

Ezenwa stressed that this double funding, if incontrovertible, not only violates financial regulations, including the rules governing virement, but one of the many reasons why the force was severely under-equipped to deal with the escalating security threats facing Nigeria.

He emphasised that there are claims that the IG went ahead with this contract against advice from the Police Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Dandela Kassim, who via a memo dated March 28, 2024, reportedly issued a formal objection to the IGP’s decision, clearly outlining the financial and legal infractions.

Ezenwa wondered if due process was followed in the reported sale and ceding of critical police barracks and assets, allegedly to individuals with personal ties to senior police leadership?

He added: “What role, if any, did private companies such as Crown Natures Nigeria Plc and Exima Realty Co. Ltd play in these transactions, and were their engagements properly approved?

“This questions are necessary to provide explanation following reports of allegations that the IGP is unilaterally disposing and ceding major police barracks and lands—including the Garki, Jabi, Falomo (Lagos), and Bompai (Kano) barracks—to cronies under the pretext of redevelopment.

“These transactions were allegedly conducted through Hakeem Oguniran, the CEO of Exima Realty Co. Ltd, a childhood friend and close investment associate of IGP Egbetokun. Oguniran, acting as a “Police Property Development Consultant,” has reportedly bypassed: The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC); The Ministry of Police Affairs; Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval processes.”

Ezenwa noted that these actions, if true, are not only in violation of federal infrastructure laws but represent a direct threat to national security, as barracks are designated as critical security assets.