Police IG Egbetokun Affirms Citizens' Right to Criticise Public Figures, Warns Only Against Publishing Falsehoods

 

IG Egbetokun Says Police Won’t Arrest Critics, Stresses Protection of Free Speech Within Legal Limits

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reassured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will not arrest citizens for criticising or expressing disapproval of public officials, including himself. This assurance came during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, addressing growing concerns about alleged abuse of police authority to silence dissenting voices.

According to the police chief, Nigerians are free to express their opinions about public officials without fear of being detained, as long as such expressions do not involve lies or defamation. He pointed out that public office comes with scrutiny, and constructive criticism plays a vital role in holding leaders accountable.

“You can abuse me. You can criticise me. It doesn’t bother me,” Egbetokun stated firmly. “Criticism helps keep me on my toes. If it’s constructive, it makes me work harder. I welcome it.”

This statement is particularly notable amid public outcry over alleged incidents where individuals have been arrested after criticising government figures. The IG made it clear that the police under his leadership would not engage in such practices. He noted that his own experience with online criticism is proof that the police are not targeting dissenters.

“Have you not seen the kind of things they say about me online?” he asked rhetorically. “Have you heard of anyone being arrested for abusing the Inspector General of Police? They insult me daily on social media, and I don’t go after them.”

However, Egbetokun drew a clear distinction between criticism and defamation. While the former is a right protected by the Nigerian constitution, he explained that the latter is now treated as a criminal offence under the Cybercrime Act.

He warned that any individual who publishes false information that could damage the reputation of another person, whether a public official or private citizen could face arrest and prosecution.

“The Cybercrime Act makes it a criminal offence for anybody to publish falsehood against anybody,” he explained. “If what you publish is false and has the potential to injure someone’s reputation, that’s no longer just a civil matter. It's a crime, and you can be arrested and charged.”

Before the enactment of the Cybercrime Act, such incidents were typically handled as civil matters. The police would refer complainants to the courts for legal redress through civil litigation. But the current law provides a basis for police intervention when someone is accused of spreading harmful misinformation.

Egbetokun was quick to clarify that even under these provisions, the police remain committed to due process. He emphasised that no one would be detained unlawfully or subjected to harassment for expressing their opinion.

“If we arrest you for publishing falsehood, it’s not for abuse or criticism. It’s because what you said was untrue and damaging,” he noted. “And even then, we don’t keep you in secret locations. We take you to court, and it is the court that determines your guilt or innocence.”

He also shed light on his personal approach to defamatory content directed at him. Despite having been the subject of multiple false reports, the police boss said he often refrains from pursuing legal action, understanding the delicate nature of his position.

“I know many times falsehoods have been published against me, and I just stay quiet,” he said. “It’s because of my sensitive position. If I were a private citizen, I would file complaints and pursue those cases fully.”

This stance by the nation’s top police officer is likely to ease tensions in a country where many feel free speech is under threat. His statements may serve to rebuild trust in the police force, which has faced heavy criticism in recent years for perceived intolerance to criticism.

Egbetokun’s comments appear aimed at redefining the relationship between law enforcement and civil society. By explicitly supporting freedom of expression while also drawing attention to the legal boundaries, the IG is sending a message that the police can uphold order without stifling voices.

As Nigeria continues to navigate its democratic journey, public confidence in the impartiality and professionalism of security agencies remains essential. The IG’s declarations could signal a step toward that goal, provided his words are matched with consistent action.