Documents obtained by Swift Reporters contradict claims by online platform Secretreporter that Blue Sea Investments Ltd. was unregistered and won a Nigeria Police Force (NPF) contract without due process approval.
A Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) public-search record shows that Blue Sea Investments Ltd., registration number RC 273945, was incorporated on June 14, 1995. This contradicts the allegation that the company was never registered.
Also, a Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) letter dated September 10, 2024, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police also shows the procurement was reviewed. The letter concerns security equipment worth ₦1.408 billion from M/S Blue Sea Investment Limited. It lists 1,450 NATO Past Type ST-4 helmets valued at ₦638 million and 1,400 units of Armoured Vest 183 valued at ₦770 million. It states that a Due Process Certificate of “No Objection” could be granted for the procurement.
Egbetokun takes legal action against malicious news outlets
Breaking his silence on the malicious allegations against his person, former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun (rtd), who has overtime ignored such targeted blackmails said he has instructed his lawyer to begin civil proceedings against the publishers.
He described the content as defamatory and unacceptable, noting that his earlier decision to ignore such outlandish and irresponsible journalism in order not to give the purveyors the attention they were seeking, seems to have been mistaken for weakness.
“I don’t have time for miscreants who thrive only on blackmail. Responding to them will give the falsehoods unnecessary publicity. I know their sponsors and know their motives,” he said.
He added that he was not perturbed and was confident those responsible would be exposed and held accountable. “No one contends with a favoured child of God and laughs last,” he said.
The investigation found that negative reports about IGP Egbetokun often surface online amid speculation that President Bola Tinubu might be considering him for another appointment. But Egbetokun,who neither confirmed nor denied the speculation, declined further comment.
Helicopter procurement
A source at Force Headquarters told Swift Reporters that the police helicopter contract was awarded through due process. According to the source, funds reached the contractor late and were no longer enough to buy the aircraft on the original terms.
The contractor then requested a contract variation, which Egbetokun forwarded to the BPP. The source said the BPP approved it before he left office, but funds were not available to complete the process.
The source said that when the police urgently needed the helicopter for operations against bandits in the North West and North Central, the contractor proposed supplying a fairly used aircraft with the funds already advanced. Egbetokun reportedly rejected the offer, insisting the BPP approval covered only a brand-new helicopter.
The source said the revised arrangement had not been paid for when Egbetokun handed over. It added that the current IGP, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was aware of the situation and working to conclude the procurement and secure delivery.
Feeding and dry-ration payments
Sources told Swift Reporters that the IGP approved funding allocations for the Force’s eight departments, 17 zonal commands, 36 state and the FCT commands. Heads of these units manage their own allocations and operational needs, and approvals are also made at departmental or command level.
They said items such as tissue paper, cartons of milk and dry rations ordinarily fall under administrative, financial and procurement procedures, depending on delegations of authority, and that it would be unrealistic for the IGP to approve every purchase in an organisation of the Force’s size.
The Force also has the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Public Accounts and Budget and the Force Procurement Officer, who handle financial administration and procurement compliance.
Serving and retired officers defend record
A serving senior police officer described Egbetokun as incorruptible and widely respected in the Force. “Egbetokun does not seek gratification from anybody, and you may even get into trouble for trying to offer him gratification,” the officer said.
A retired police officer who worked closely with him said: “Egbetokun does not cut corners. He is a man who follows due process to its logical conclusion.” The retired officer also criticised the spread of unverified allegations on social media.
A retired police commissioner alleged that some of those behind the publications were serving officers unhappy with Egbetokun’s strict enforcement of rules. “The thieves are the ones ganging up against Egbetokun to tarnish his reputation with falsehoods by using social media,” he alleged.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) CSP Aniete Iniedu, was yet to officially react to the publication.