The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has cautioned officers of the Nigeria Police Force against making arrests in cases involving civil disputes or breaches of contract, stressing that such actions violate the Police Act.
Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu, the IGP—represented by Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Legal Services, Ohiozoba Ehiede—reminded officers that Section 32(2) of the Police Act clearly limits arrests to criminal offences.
“A person shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract,” Egbetokun said, emphasizing that detaining one person in place of another is equally unlawful. “You cannot arrest a husband for an offence committed by his wife.”
The police chief also condemned the illegal practice of officers demanding “mobilisation” fees before conducting investigations, insisting that it is alien to the Force. He urged Nigerians to report such cases directly to the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU). His comments drew loud reactions from lawyers present.
The session, themed “Citizens’ Rights and Security Concerns”, featured key figures including the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi; human rights lawyers Femi Falana (SAN) and Dr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN); as well as Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.
Egbetokun called on citizens to hold officers accountable by reporting rights violations, stressing that the Force must operate strictly within the provisions of the law.
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