The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, has reinforced the directive from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, prohibiting the indiscriminate transfer of cases without proper approval.

Speaking to crime reporters on Friday, Jimoh emphasized that such practices place unnecessary burdens on involved parties, delay justice, and disrupt police investigations.

“There is a complete stop to indiscriminate transfers of cases,” he stated, stressing that the directive would be strictly enforced.

He explained that transferring cases from one police station to another without following due process is no longer acceptable. Under the new guidelines, when a higher authority requests a case transfer, the lower investigating department must first send a duplicate case file for review. If any gaps or unresolved issues are identified, a formal request for approval must be submitted before the case can be transferred.

“This represents a full stop to such actions because many of the matters we deal with involve significant stakes,” Jimoh noted.

The commissioner also highlighted the negative impact of arbitrary case transfers on both investigations and court proceedings, noting that valuable time is wasted when cases are moved unnecessarily.

“The time that should have been used to conclude investigations is lost, and investigation is our primary responsibility,” he said.

He concluded by emphasizing the scientific nature of police investigations, which are aimed at placing the suspect or accused at the scene of the crime.

The directive is expected to improve case management, enhance efficiency, and ensure that investigations are conducted thoroughly without unnecessary delays.