EXCLUSIVE(SAHARA REPORTERS): CSO Leaders Arrested After Exposing Alleged Financial Misconduct Under Former IGP Egbetokun

A coalition of civil society organizations, under the umbrella of the CSOs Budget Implementation, Assessment, Evaluation and Monitoring Committee, had been vocal about alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force during the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. The group's leaders, who include Ade Mario Emmanuel, John Adeshina, Philip, Kizito, Henry, and an unnamed female member, were detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after they were allegedly tricked into a meeting by Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede. Prior to their detention, the activists had planned a press conference and peaceful protest, scheduled for June 12, 2026, to draw attention to their claims of widespread impunity and financial misconduct within the police force. The coalition had raised concerns over several transactions, including direct payments into personal accounts for projects that should have been executed through formal procurement processes. Among the allegations were claims that police authorities made payments of N20 million each to individuals identified as Afariogun Ebenezer and Bitrus Gado as medical assistance for retired DIG Gazali D. Lawal, with the coalition questioning the basis and accountability for these transactions. The group also alleged that over N39 million was paid to two individuals for the training of 384 Special Intervention Squad personnel, despite procurement laws requiring public contracts above prescribed thresholds to follow formal contracting procedures. Furthermore, the coalition demanded a comprehensive audit of the Nigeria Police Safe School Intervention Programme, alleging that over N9.22 billion had been expended on the initiative nationwide. The activists were reportedly arrested and detained overnight by police operatives before being transferred to the EFCC, where they are now being accused of extortion after Fakorede allegedly induced conversations relating to a demand for N200 million in exchange for suspending the planned protest and withholding information relating to the corruption allegations against the former police chief. In a voice note obtained by SaharaReporters, DCP Fakorede was heard discussing the proposed meeting with one of the coalition leaders, Ade Mario Emmanuel. The audio revealed that Emmanuel had informed Fakorede that he would be at K-Class Hotel in Wuse Zone 5, and the two parties agreed to meet there. After the call ended, someone asked Emmanuel about the discussion, and he explained that it was regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds under Egbetokun's leadership. Emmanuel stated that he had already spoken with the EFCC chairman and that they had been calling him since the previous day. He also mentioned that Fakorede's involvement in the matter might have been instructed by his boss, as Egbetokun himself could not meet with him directly. The coalition had attached payment schedules to its petition, calling on anti-corruption agencies to independently investigate whether procurement regulations, public finance laws, and other accountability measures were violated. CP Fakorede is currently serving as the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anti-Fraud Unit at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon Close, Lagos, after being redeployed there in April 2026.