IGP Egbetokun sets record straight on alleged budget drama at NASS

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has dismissed allegations that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) submitted conflicting budget documents to the National Assembly during his defense of the 2025 budget.

In a statement issued on Friday through Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, Egbetokun clarified that the incident at the joint committee hearing on police affairs was “unnecessary and avoidable.”

He explained that the confusion arose from a misunderstanding over two versions of the budget presentation—comprehensive and abridged—both of which had been provided to committee members before the session.

“At the start of the session, the committee members unanimously agreed that I should present the abridged version since they all had access to both documents,” Egbetokun stated.

However, he noted that Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi of Ebonyi North arrived late to the session and began referencing the comprehensive version while the abridged version was being presented.

Despite explanations from other committee members about the agreement and the consistency between both versions, the senator insisted on his position and abruptly left the session.

READ ALSO: Tinubu thanks governors for backing tax bills, charges N’Assembly to speed up process

Egbetokun firmly refuted claims of any inconsistencies in the budget documents. “There is no discrepancy between the comprehensive and abridged versions. Both are identical in content, with the abridged version serving as a summary for ease of presentation,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of focusing on the critical security needs of the nation rather than being sidetracked by avoidable disputes. “This session was about charting a path forward for the security of Nigerians, and I urge all stakeholders to prioritize this shared goal,” the IGP added.

Tensions flared during Egbetokun’s appearance before the National Assembly’s joint committee on police affairs on Thursday. The session, meant to deliberate on the Nigeria Police Force’s (NPF) 2025 budget, took a dramatic turn over claims of mismatched budget documents.

The incident began when Mark Esset, a House of Representatives member from Akwa Ibom, raised concerns that the details being read by the IGP regarding the construction of five zonal police headquarters were not reflected in the document he had received.

Adding to the confusion, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi of Ebonyi North Central demanded access to the same document the IGP was presenting from. However, Abubakar Makki Yalleman, chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, interjected, asking the IGP to proceed with his presentation.

Frustrated by the exchange, Senator Nwebonyi stormed out of the session, leaving an air of discomfort in his wake.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now