The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, issued a formal apology to the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) on Tuesday, acknowledging his failure to honor multiple invitations to address queries raised by the Auditor General of the Federation regarding the Nigeria Police Force.
The apology followed a stern warning last week from the Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, who had threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against Egbetokun if he continued to evade the summons.
Addressing the committee under oath, Egbetokun explained that his absence was not deliberate but rather due to the heavy demands of his office. He reassured the lawmakers that such an issue would not recur in the future.
Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Wadada, accepted the IGP’s apology, stating that his appearance before the committee underscored the principle that no one, regardless of their position, is above the law.
In light of the situation, Egbetokun requested the committee’s approval to introduce the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Police Accounts, Abdul Sulaiman, who will henceforth represent him at future committee sessions.
The committee, while acknowledging the apology, emphasized the importance of timely attendance by officials and representatives of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to answer queries raised against them.
