₦airaland Forum

Tinubu Removes Scandal-Tainted IGP Kayode Egbetokun Amid Jubilation At Police Headquarters, Tunji Disu To Take Over

Kayode Egbetokun has been removed from his position as Inspector General of Police.

SaharaReporters confirmed that President Bola Tinubu ordered Egbetokun’s removal from office.

He is to be succeeded by Tunji Disu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police overseeing the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.

Senior police officials and sources within the Police Service Commission confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Tuesday.

“Egbetokun was at the (Presidential) Villa yesterday and was told to go and prepare his handover notes. I believe he has done that already and he will be handing over to Tunji Disu,” one of the sources said.

“He is incompetent and the scandals are just too many. He is power-drunk. The President said he should leave to focus on getting treatment for himself. You know, he has kidney-related medical issues.”

SaharaReporters learnt that some police officers celebrated upon hearing the news of his removal on Monday.

“Police officers jubilated on Monday when they heard the news. The First Lady Remi Tinubu wanted him to stay but the President was adamant. She fought that he should remain in office despite all the scandals,” one of the sources said.

Egbetokun’s time as IGP was marked by a storm of controversies. His prolonged stay in office, despite clear retirement rules, became the centerpiece of the scandal.

Egbetokun’s tenure was extended beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service.

Civil society groups and critics argued that his continued stay violated police service rules, sparking heated debates about favouritism and disregard for institutional discipline

SaharaReporters exclusively reported how Bukola Yemisi Kuti, a Principal Staff Officer to Egbetokun, received rapid promotions under questionable circumstances.

Critics alleged that her closeness to the IGP gave her undue advantage, fueling perceptions of favoritism and nepotism within the police force.

Sources told SaharaReporters that Kuti was not just a staff officer but also personally linked to Egbetokun as his mistress, which made her promotions scandalous.

SaharaReporters also reported exclusively that ₦100 million from Anambra State’s security vote was allegedly traced to the account of Victor, the son of Kayode Egbetokun.

The claim sparked significant controversy, as it raised concerns about the possible diversion of state security funds and the alleged personal benefit to the Inspector-General’s family.

Rather than allowing an independent investigation into the matter, police authorities were said to have deployed institutional resources to pursue legal action against individuals and platforms reporting on the allegations, further fueling suspicions of corruption and abuse of office.

During this period, Egbetokun’s office was repeatedly in the headlines for initiating lawsuits against journalists and activists.

He filed multiple charges against activist Omoyele Sowore and SaharaReporters after Sowore publicly referred to him as an “illegal IGP.”

This confrontation escalated into a legal battle, with the Federal High Court issuing injunctions restricting further publications concerning him and members of his family. Critics interpreted these legal actions as attempts to silence dissent and undermine press freedom.

Following additional reports by Sowore and SaharaReporters regarding alleged promotions and financial improprieties, Egbetokun’s camp responded with further litigation.

Court orders were issued restraining both Sowore and SaharaReporters from publishing additional reports concerning Egbetokun, his son Victor, and Bukola Kuti.

Observers argued that, instead of addressing the allegations through open and transparent investigations, the police leadership appeared focused on pursuing legal measures against critics.

This, in turn, reinforced perceptions of an embattled Inspector-General relying on state authority to defend his personal and professional interests.

Daguccizgreat:
From Yoruba to Yoruba, we dey watch. Tinubu is the most tribalistic president Nigeria has ever had and that's why he's a massive failure like no other

LibertyRep:
The use of 'sack' is simply Sahara being mischievous.

Sowore never like the IGP anyways.

EnglandAmaka:
Frank Emeka Mba is the perfect replacement. But drug lord would rather die than appoint an Igbo.

"Nigerians will probably achieve consensus on no other matter than their common resentment of the Igbo." - Chinua Achebe.

Fiscus105:
Sowore make sure he THE END this man last last, if the story is true, no wonder his spokesman was talking angrily yesterday, wen Seun was interviewing him.

He said, the ₦100M, mistakenly entered IGP son's account and he has since returned it back. What a dump excuse from force headquarters?

Omooba77:
https://saharareporters.com/2026/02/24/breaking-tinubu-removes-scandal-tainted-igp-kayode-egbetokun-amid-jubilation-police

Parachoko:
They also jubilated when he was made the IGP