‘Deeply troubling’ — CSOs criticise IGP over withdrawal of police officers from Kano anti-graft agency

Some civil society organisations (CSOs) have criticised Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), over the withdrawal of officers from the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.

On Friday, the Kano police command recalled police officers attached to the state anti-graft agency “with a view to conducting a staff audit aimed at ascertaining the exact number of police officers seconded to the commission”.

Muhuyi Magaji, the commission’s chairman, described the withdrawal of the police officers as a case of corruption fighting back.

In a letter signed by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), the CSOs said the withdrawal of police officers from the agency raises serious concerns about the politicisation of law enforcement agencies.

“This withdrawal, which reportedly follows investigations into multi-billion naira corruption allegations against the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, raises serious concerns about the politicisation of law enforcement agencies,” the CSOs said.

“The withdrawal of approximately 40 policemen providing security and investigative support severely undermines the crucial work of the anti-corruption agency in Kano State and threatens the constitutional requirements of the police’s impartiality and independence.

“It is deeply troubling that law enforcement resources are being redirected away from combating corruption and instead appear to be utilised to obstruct investigations into high-profile individuals and undermine accountability.

“This action threatens the principles of federalism, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.”

The group called on the IGP to prioritise the integrity and independence of law enforcement agencies, adding that the security agency should desist from political interference.