President Bola Tinubu is alleged to have sacked Kayode Egbetokun as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police.
According to a Police Service Commission (PSC) source, Egbetokun is expected to be replaced by Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police recently posted to oversee the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
The source disclosed that Egbetokun was at the Presidential Villa on Monday, February 23, 2026, where he was reportedly directed to begin preparations for the handover of office.
Egbetokun’s tenure as Inspector-General was marked by a series of controversies, with his extended stay in office, despite statutory retirement provisions, forming the centrepiece of public criticism.
His tenure was extended beyond the mandatory retirement threshold of 60 years of age or 35 years in service, a move that drew sustained criticism from civil society organisations, legal experts and commentators. Critics argued that the extension violated established police service rules and undermined institutional discipline.
Among the controversies that trailed his leadership were allegations surrounding the promotion of Bukola Kuti to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police. Critics alleged that her perceived closeness to the Inspector-General conferred undue advantage, fuelling accusations of favouritism and nepotism within the Nigeria Police Force. These allegations were denied by police authorities.
Further controversy arose following claims that ₦100 million from Anambra State’s security vote was traced to the bank account of Victor, Egbetokun’s son. The allegation sparked widespread public concern over the possible diversion of state security funds for personal benefit.
Rather than permitting an independent investigation into the claims, critics alleged that police authorities deployed institutional resources to pursue legal action against individuals and media platforms that reported the matter, deepening suspicions of corruption and abuse of office. Police authorities, however, maintained that the reports were defamatory.
During this period, Egbetokun’s office was repeatedly in the news over legal actions against journalists and activists. He initiated multiple charges against Omoyele Sowore and SaharaReporters after Sowore publicly described him as an “illegal IGP.”
The dispute escalated into protracted legal battles, with the Federal High Court issuing injunctions restricting further publications relating to Egbetokun and members of his family. Critics interpreted these court actions as attempts to stifle dissent and weaken press freedom.
Following additional reports on alleged promotions and financial improprieties, further court orders were issued restraining media organisations from publishing reports concerning Egbetokun, his son Victor, and Bukola Kuti.
Observers argued that, rather than addressing the allegations through transparent and independent investigations, the police leadership appeared more focused on legal countermeasures against critics—reinforcing public perceptions of an embattled Inspector-General relying on state authority to defend personal and professional interests.
In January, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, publicly affirmed that Egbetokun’s position as IGP was secure and in accordance with the law.
Fagbemi explained that Egbetokun’s appointment took effect from 31 October 2023 and that before attaining retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the occupant of the office to complete the statutory four-year tenure, even after turning 60. “For the avoidance of doubt, Egbetokun’s continuous stay in office is in line with the provisions of the Police Act amended in 2024 which allow the occupant of the office to enjoy a term of four years effective from the date of his appointment as IGP, in this case, 31st day of October 2023,” Fagbemi had stated.
According to the Attorney General, the 2024 amendment to the Act effectively extended Egbetokun’s tenure to 31 October 2027, enabling him to complete the four-year term stipulated under Section 7(6).
Despite this legal backing, internal tensions are said to have persisted within the Force, with some officers alleging that Disu had previously been redeployed in what his supporters viewed as attempts to sideline him from succession considerations.
As of press time, neither the Presidency nor police authorities had issued any statement indicating that Egbetokun’s tenure had ended or that Disu had been appointed as the new IGP.
Additiona reports from The Guardian,
