Integrity Youth Alliance Refutes Alleged Bribery and Promotion Irregularities Under Former Police Chief Kayode Egbetokun

The Integrity Youth Alliance refutes "cash-for-rank" allegations against former IGP Kayode Egbetokun, citing a lack of evidence and a focus on merit.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 9:32 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAYLIVE

The Defense of Institutional Integrity Against Corruption Claims

The Integrity Youth Alliance has issued a stern rebuttal to a series of allegations targeting the leadership of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. According to a statement released by Publicity Secretary Danjuma Lamido, the alliance characterizes recent reports of a "cash-for-rank" system as a malicious campaign devoid of factual merit. The group maintains that the claims, which surfaced in an online medium, rely exclusively on anonymous testimonials that fail to meet the basic standards of journalistic verification. By addressing these accusations directly, the alliance seeks to protect the legacy of a leadership period they describe as being defined by a rigorous commitment to professional standards and internal reform.

A Challenge to Prove Systemic Promotion Irregularities

In its official communication, the alliance argued that the burden of proof rests entirely with those leveling the charges of bribery against the former police chief. Lamido emphasized that the report failed to identify a single officer who allegedly paid for advancement or any official who received such illicit funds. According to the group, the absence of named participants exposes the inherent weakness of the narrative and suggests a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force. The alliance insists that "he who alleges must prove," and that the continued use of faceless sources is indicative of an underlying intent to destabilize public confidence in the police hierarchy.

Reaffirming the Primacy of Merit and Seniority

According to the Integrity Youth Alliance, the promotion exercises conducted under Egbetokun’s administration were governed strictly by the dual principles of merit and seniority. The group explicitly rejected claims that senior officials within the Police Service Commission were complicit in blocking deserving officers in favor of those who could pay for rank. The statement noted that there is no institutional record of junior officers bypassing established protocols through financial influence. By reaffirming these standards, the alliance is positioning the former IGP’s tenure as a period of renewed transparency, arguing that the internal processes were strengthened rather than compromised during his time in office.