The Illegal IGP Egbetokun Has Been Kicked Out – Omoyele Sowore

Controversial human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has sensationally declared that Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has been removed from his position, describing the development as the long-overdue exit of an “illegal” police chief.

In a post on his verified X account on Tuesday morning, Sowore wrote: “BREAKING: The Illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has been kicked out, he will be replaced by the fellow at FCIID in Lagos!”

The claim has ignited heated debates across social media, with many questioning its veracity while others see it as another bold jab in Sowore’s long-running campaign against the police boss.

Sowore has for months labelled Egbetokun the “illegal IGP”, insisting the former Chief Security Officer to President Bola Tinubu overstayed his welcome after hitting the mandatory retirement age of 60 and completing 35 years in service in 2024. He has repeatedly accused the IGP of turning the Nigeria Police Force into a personal fiefdom, enabling fraudsters, engaging in questionable promotions and shielding family members from scrutiny.

NaijaChoice News checks, however, show no official announcement from the Presidency, Police Service Commission or Force Headquarters confirming any change in leadership. Egbetokun remains the substantive IGP, with recent activities including the decoration of thousands of promoted officers, courtesy visits by retired IGPs and high-level policy directives issued under his watch as recently as last week.

The activist’s reference to “the fellow at FCIID in Lagos” points to AIG Olatunji (Tunji) Disu, who assumed duty on February 9 as the new head of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex at Alagbon, Ikoyi. Disu, a former Rapid Response Squad commander and one-time Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, replaced AIG Margaret Ochalla.

The latest claim comes amid escalating legal warfare between Sowore and the police leadership. Only days ago, the FCT High Court in Abuja granted an interim injunction restraining Sowore and Sahara Reporters from further publications deemed defamatory against Egbetokun, his son Victor (accused in reports of receiving N100 million from Anambra security votes) and a senior female officer. The suit also seeks to stop references to the IGP as “illegal”.

In a separate victory for the activist, a Federal High Court in Lagos last week awarded him N30 million in damages after declaring the Lagos State Police Command’s “wanted” declaration against him unlawful.

Sowore has led street protests demanding Egbetokun’s removal and filed multiple fundamental rights suits, alleging persecution for his criticism and investigative reports on alleged police complicity in Ponzi schemes and contract scandals.

While supporters cheer Sowore’s unrelenting pressure for police reform, critics accuse him of sensationalism and note that only the President, acting on the advice of the National Police Council, has the constitutional power to appoint or remove an IGP.

As at press time, neither the Presidency nor the Nigeria Police Force has responded to Sowore’s fresh claim. NaijaChoice News will continue to monitor developments and bring updates as they unfold on this high-stakes face-off between one of Nigeria’s most vocal activists and the nation’s top cop.