RULAAC questions IGP’s sincerity in probing children’s welfare in police custody

Stanley Ihedigbo

Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has come under scrutiny for issuing contrasting statements regarding the malnourished children who collapsed in court.

Initially, the police dismissed public outcry as “sentiments” and labeled the children’s collapse as a “scripted” act intended to sway public opinion.

According to the Executive Director,Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) Com.Okechukwu Nwanguma, after President Bola Tinubu ordered the release and rehabilitation of the children, the IGP announced an investigation into the welfare of the children in police custody.

“This sudden shift raises concerns about the police’s commitment to the rule of law and their ability to act impartially above political interests. The initial dismissal undermines the credibility of the police and creates skepticism about their motives and willingness to prioritize ethical standards.

“The incident highlights a troubling dynamic within law enforcement, where narratives can shift in response to public pressure rather than a genuine commitment to justice and humanitarian principles. To maintain credibility and uphold the rule of law, the police must demonstrate consistent accountability and transparency in their actions, particularly regarding vulnerable populations such as detained minors”, he lamented.

He noted that Police initial reaction to the outrage that greeted the sordid sight of malnourished children fainting in an Abuja High Court during their arraignment on November 1, 2023 for alleged treason because they participated in the national #EndHunger protests.

“The Nigeria Police through a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumutiwa Adejobi had labelled the collapse of the minors in court as a ‘scripted’ act intended to sway public opinion. The police said it was an act orchestrated to ‘create a negative impression in the public’. They also defended ‘the legal process’ stating that ‘those of age within the limits of criminal responsibility must be held accountable for their actions’.

“After the president succumbed to public pressure and ordered the release and rehabilitation of the victimised children, the Nigeria Police in a subsequent statement dated November 4, 2024 also signed by the self-same Force PRO said the ‘IGP has directed investigation into the conditions surrounding the care and welfare of the young persons while in police detention facilities’. He said the IGP vowed to thoroughly examine it and take necessary actions to address any procedural lapses or concerns.

“The contrasting statements from Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police regarding the malnourished children who collapsed in court raise significant concerns about the police’s commitment to the rule of law and their ability to act impartially above political interests.

“Initially, IGP Kayode Egbetokun characterized the children’s collapse as a “scripted” act aimed at creating negative public sentiment. This portrayal minimizes legitimate concerns regarding the treatment of these vulnerable individuals and suggests a reluctance to acknowledge potential misconduct within the police.

“Following public outcry and the President’s directives for the release and rehabilitation of the children, the IGP announced an investigation into the welfare of the children in police custody. While this shift may signal an awareness of the issues at hand, it also raises questions about the sincerity of the initial dismissal. Would the IGP have made this sudden U-Turn had the president not responded and acted in deference to public pressure?

“The initial assertion that the children were performing a stunt undermines the credibility of the police. This inconsistency creates skepticism about their motives and willingness to prioritize ethical standards.

“The contrasting statements suggest a potential prioritization of regime or political interests over the legal and ethical treatment of detainees. If the police are seen as protecting the interests of the state rather than upholding the law and ensuring justice, public trust erodes.

“Such duplicity can lead to a perception that the police are more concerned with managing public opinion than addressing systemic failures in how they handle detainees, especially minors.

“The sum of my view is that the conflicting messages from the IGP illustrate a troubling dynamic within law enforcement, where narratives can shift in response to public pressure rather than a genuine commitment to justice and humanitarian principles. For the police to maintain credibility and uphold the rule of law, they must demonstrate consistent accountability and transparency in their actions, particularly regarding vulnerable populations such as detained minors,” he further lamented.