The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has formally reacted to the crisis that erupted yesterday during the presentation of the Nigeria Police Force 2025 budget to the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, describing the incident as unnecessary and avoidable, clarifying that the document he presented was shared with all committee members beforehand.
It will be recalled that Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi (Ebonyi North), interrupted the IGP 2025 budget presentation on the ground that the document the IGP was reading was different from the document given to the legislators, hence, demanded that all the legislators be given a copy of a detailed budget document individually, of which the IGP should be mandated to read.
The senator said, “I don’t know if I am the only person, but I doubt, what the IGP is reading is quite different from the document we have here. It is important that all members should be acquainted with what they are reading. You can’t give a copy after this. It is not the same thing. The details are not here like the zonal offices he has mentioned, they are not captured here. Mr Chairman and distinguished colleagues, we are here to serve Nigerians and Nigerians should see us as a very serious institution. we are not against the presentation of IGP but I, as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should have what IGP is reading. What the IGP is reading is different from what I have.”
Responding, the Chairman of the panel said that the committee permitted the IGP to summarise his presentation but this position was rejected by some legislators.
Consequently, a senator stormed out of the session and his loyalists condemned IGP reading what he called abridge version. One of the legislators said, “We are not in hurry to listen to the full presentation by the IGP.”
However, those in favour of IGP reading abridge version of his budget accused his colleagues of being bias against the police and one of them said, “Senator that have a problem with the police should not be allowed to bring their biases to official engagement.”
Egbetokun, in a statement signed by the FForce Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained, “Two versions of the budget documents were provided to the committee members: a comprehensive copy and an abridged version. While both contained the same figures and facts, the abridged version used simplified language to facilitate understanding. At the start of the session, the committee members unanimously agreed with a motion that the IGP should present the abridged version since they all had access to both documents.
“However, distinguished Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi (Ebonyi North), who arrived late, began referencing the comprehensive version while the IGP presented the abridged version. Despite explanations from other committee members about the earlier agreement and the consistency between both versions, the senator refused to listen and abruptly left the session. The IGP described the incident as unnecessary drama that could have been avoided had the senator been receptive to the clarifications provided. The IGP reiterates that the Nigeria Police Force did not submit two different 2025 budgetary proposal documents to the joint committees at the National Assembly, contrary to the reports circulating in the news and media outlets.
“The Inspector-General has also reiterated the significant challenges the NPF faces with budget allocations. These include inadequate funding, which hampers modernisation and effective service delivery, the restrictive envelope budget system, and delays in fund releases. These challenges continue to impede the Force’s ability to address its expanding and dynamic responsibilities.
“In conclusion, the IGP called on the public to remain patient and supportive of the Police as the Force remains committed to delivering exceptional service with professionalism and dedication.”
