IGP Warns Officers: No Arrests Over Civil Disputes Or Contract Breaches

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has cautioned officers against making arrests over civil disputes or contract breaches, insisting that the Police Act clearly prohibits such actions.

Speaking through the Director of Legal Services, Assistant Inspector-General Ohiozoba Ehiede, at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu State, the IG reminded officers that Section 32 (2) of the Police Act “restricts arrests to only criminal offences.”

“No one should be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract,” he stressed.

Egbetokun further warned that citizens must not be arrested in lieu of others, saying: “The Act also provides that there will be no arrest in lieu of another person. So, you cannot arrest a husband for an offence committed by his wife.”

He also addressed the controversial issue of “mobilisation” money demanded by officers before investigations, stating: “The issue of mobilisation is unknown to the Nigeria Police. File a complaint if it ever arises.”

The statement drew loud reactions from lawyers present, with the IG urging the public to report such misconduct to the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU).

The session, which had the theme “Citizens’ Rights and Security Concerns”, featured other key security chiefs and legal experts, including Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General, Adeola Ajayi; human rights lawyers Femi Falana and Mike Ozekhome; National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) boss, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu; and Council of Legal Education (CLE) Chairman, Chief Emeka Ngige. The panel was moderated by former APC Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ogala (SAN).

Representing the Army Chief, Maj. Gen. O.T. Olatoye assured Nigerians that the military remains open to accountability. “Any Nigerian whose rights is abused by any soldier should call 193 toll free anytime to file a complaint,” he said.

On his part, DSS Director Ajayi noted that while rights must be respected, freedom is not limitless. “There is nowhere you can get absolute freedom, because that will equate to anarchy, where anything goes. We all want a secure Nigeria, which faces existential challenges. If you don’t share vital information, security threats will increase. We should all join hands to enhance the security of our country,” he said.

Human rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome, however, accused security agencies of misusing “national security” to justify rights violations. “What they call national security is actually government security and security of those in power to manage or mismanage our resources,” he said.

He recalled how his personal bank account was frozen by the EFCC over suspicious transactions, only for the appellate court to rule in his favour. “If we cannot defend ourselves, how can we defend others? The NBA has been lying down. Let us challenge impunity. Stand up and stand out,” he urged.

Similarly, Femi Falana condemned the military for abandoning its constitutional role, saying: “The Army should not get involved in election management.”

Chief Emeka Ngige added that the Federal Government must find a political solution to the case of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to help end insecurity in the Southeast. He noted that despite a reduction in sit-at-home orders, courts in Enugu still do not sit on Mondays due to fear of attacks.

“I am calling on the Federal Government to resolve the problem politically and release Nnamdi Kanu,” Ngige said.