The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has come under intense criticism from a prominent human rights lawyer, Barrister Hamza Dantini, over what has been described as serial abuse of constitutional provisions and unlawful detentions.
In a press statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, Dantini accused the IGP of trampling on the rule of law by ordering the arrest and detention of a state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for allegedly performing his constitutional duty. The lawyer also condemned the recent detention of activist and journalist, Omoyele Sowore.
“There’s no other way to say this,” Dantini said, “Kayode Egbetokun has presented himself as a police officer who does not care about the constitution or the laws of our country. One wonders how he rose to the rank of IGP if he cannot abide by the dictates of the constitution, which is our grundnorm.”
He described the detention of the DPP—allegedly for entering a nolle prosequi—as an act of ignorance or wilful disregard of the law.
“How do you arrest and detain a Director of Public Prosecution merely because he exercised the power to discontinue a case? Is this ignorance or deliberate abuse? Are there no lawyers at the Force Headquarters to advise the IGP?” he queried.
Referencing Sections 150(1) and 195(1) of the 1999 Constitution, Dantini emphasised the legal standing of the Attorney-General and their representatives, including the DPPs, to enter a nolle prosequi.
“The Attorney-General is the chief law officer of the federation or the state and is empowered to make such legal decisions. This has been upheld in cases such as Esokoro v. Govt of Cross River State (1991) and affirmed by legal authorities that the AG’s decision in such matters is final and not subject to interference.”
The lawyer described the IGP’s invitation to the Anambra State Attorney-General as “unconstitutional and shameful,” adding that such acts could lead to national embarrassment.
“Egbetokun’s actions amount to a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution and are utterly condemnable. I call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to relieve him of his duties immediately,” he stated.
Dantini did not spare the IGP over the recent arrest of Omoyele Sowore, who had reportedly led a peaceful protest demanding unpaid pensions for retired police officers.
“What kind of message is this government sending? Sowore peacefully called for the rights of retired officers, and instead of dialogue, the IGP throws him behind bars. This is tyranny, not policing.”
The fiery statement concluded with a call to citizens and civil society to speak out before, in his words, “Egbetokun turns Nigeria’s democracy into a dictatorship.”
“This is not his kingdom. This is a democratic republic. And we must not allow any public servant to abuse the law and silence dissent with handcuffs.”