An investigation by Swift Reporters into allegations published by online platform Secretreporter that Blue Sea was unregistered and secured a Nigeria Police Force contract without the requisite approval has uncovered documents that appear to contradict key claims in the publication.
A Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) public-search record identifies Blue Sea Investments Ltd., with registration number RC 273945, as having been registered on June 14, 1995. The record contradicts the allegation that the company was never registered.
Another document, a Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) letter dated September 10, 2024, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, concerns the procurement of security equipment valued at ₦1.408 billion from M/S Blue Sea Investment Limited.
The letter lists 1,450 NATO Past Type ST-4 helmets valued at ₦638 million and 1,400 units of Armoured Vest 183 valued at ₦770 million. It indicates that a Due Process Certificate of “No Objection” could be granted for the procurement.
Although the letter provides evidence that the procurement was subjected to due-process review, it does not, on its own, conclusively establish that the final certificate was issued or that every contractual requirement was fulfilled.
The documents raise questions about the factual basis of the allegations and underscore the importance of verifying official records before publishing claims of wrongdoing.
Swift Reporters maintains that allegations of procurement violations should be assessed against the full documentary record rather than presented as established facts without adequate verification.
Egbetokun Responds to Swift Reporters’ phone call
Former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has alleged that online campaigns against him are being sponsored by individuals he knows. He maintained that his decision not to respond publicly to what he described as malicious and libellous publications was deliberate.
When contacted by Swift Reporters, the former IGP said those behind the publications had continued to re-circulate false allegations against him at intervals. He said he knew the individuals responsible and their motives but had deliberately chosen not to respond to avoid giving further publicity to their mischief.
Asked to comment further, he said: “I don’t have time for miscreants who thrive only on blackmail. Responding to them will give the falsehoods unnecessary publicity. I know their sponsors and know their motives.”
Egbetokun said he was not perturbed by the publications and expressed confidence that those responsible would eventually be exposed and held accountable. “No one contends with a favoured child of God and laugh last”
He further disclosed that he had instructed his lawyer to institute civil proceedings against the publishers of what he described as defamatory content about him.
Swift Reporters’ investigation also indicated that negative reports about the former IGP frequently appeared online amid rumours or speculation that President Bola Tinubu was considering him for another appointment. Though, Egbetokun did not confirm or deny this. He insisted on not making any further comments when asked to confirm this speculation.
Swift Reporters Investigates Delay in Police Helicopter Procurement
An investigation into allegations surrounding the procurement of a helicopter for the Nigeria Police Force suggests that delays in the release of funds affected the original contractual arrangements.
According to a source at Force Headquarters, the contract for the helicopter was awarded through due process. However, by the time the funds became available to the contractor, the amount was reportedly no longer sufficient to purchase the aircraft under the original contractual terms.
The source said the contractor subsequently requested a variation of the contract, which Egbetokun forwarded to the Bureau of Public Procurement for consideration. According to the source, the variation was approved before the former IGP left office but fund was not available to complete the procurement process.
The source further alleged that, when the police urgently needed the helicopter for operations against bandits in the north west and north central, the contractor proposed supplying a fairly used aircraft with the funds previously advanced. Egbetokun reportedly rejected the proposal, insisting that the approval obtained from the BPP was for a brand-new helicopter and that he would not accept a used aircraft.
According to the source, the disagreement over the proposed aircraft prompted the contractor to seek a variation of the contract. The source added that the revised arrangement had not been paid for before Egbetokun handed over office.
The source also claimed that the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was aware of the situation and was making arrangements to conclude the procurement process and facilitate delivery of the aircraft.
The circumstances surrounding the transaction, including the original contract, the proposed variation, the relevant approvals, payments and delivery status, would need to be confirmed through official procurement and financial records.
Allegations Over Feeding and Dry-Ration Payments
Swift Reporters’ investigation indicates that the administration of the Nigeria Police Force involves multiple departments and commands with distinct financial and operational responsibilities.
According to the information reviewed by the publication, the IGP’s responsibilities include approving funding allocations for the Force’s eight departments, 17 zonal commands, 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory Command.
The heads of these units are responsible for managing their respective allocations and meeting operational needs within their areas of responsibility.
Sources maintained that funding approvals are also made at the departmental or command level, rather than requiring the IGP to personally approve every routine purchase.
They explained that purchases such as tissue paper, cartons of milk and dry rations would ordinarily fall within the relevant administrative, financial and procurement procedures, depending on the applicable delegations of authority. The Police is a large organization, it is unrealistic for the IGP to approve every item of procurement in the Force.
The Force also has financial and procurement officials, including the Assistant Inspector-General of Police responsible for Public Accounts and Budget and the Force Procurement Officer, whose respective functions include financial administration and ensuring compliance with procurement procedures.
However, the existence of these institutional roles does not, by itself, determine accountability for any specific expenditure. Establishing responsibility requires examining the applicable financial regulations, delegated authorities, budget releases, procurement records, approval documents and the decisions made by the officials involved.
While responsibilities may be distributed across departments and commands, the extent of an IGP’s personal or supervisory responsibility must be assessed against the relevant rules and available evidence.
Due Process, Integrity and Accountability
Some serving and retired police officers who spoke to Swift Reporters defended Egbetokun’s record, describing him as a principled officer committed to due process. Critics, however, retain the right to scrutinise decisions taken during his tenure, provided their claims are supported by evidence.
As Egbetokun takes legal action against publishers of material he regards as defamatory, the controversy highlights the need to balance protection against false and damaging allegations with responsible journalism, transparency and public accountability.
A serving senior police officer who spoke to Swift Reporters on condition of anonymity described the former IGP, Egbetokun as incorruptible and widely respected within the Nigeria Police Force.
“Egbetokun does not seek gratification from anybody, and you may even get into trouble for trying to offer him gratification,” the officer said.
A retired police officer who had worked closely with Egbetokun also defended his record, alleging that social media publications had repeatedly sought to damage his reputation despite his commitment to accountability, transparency and due process.
“Egbetokun does not cut corners. He is a man who follows due process to its logical conclusion,” the retired officer said.
Another retired police commissioner alleged that some of those behind the publications were serving officers who had become dissatisfied with Egbetokun because of his strict enforcement of rules.
“The thieves are the ones ganging up against Egbetokun to tarnish his reputation with falsehoods by using social media,” the retired commissioner alleged.
The retired officer also criticised what he described as the spread of unverified allegations on social media, arguing that the accessibility of online platforms makes it easier for unsubstantiated claims to circulate.
However, the credibility of allegations, whether published on social media or in established news outlets, ultimately depends on the quality of the evidence, the fairness of the reporting and the opportunity given to affected parties to respond. All those who responded to Swift Reporters enquiries maintained condition of anonymity.
The documents cited by Swift Reporters provide a basis for challenging the claims concerning Blue Sea’s registration and the review of its procurement. Other allegations involving the helicopter contract, financial administration and the motives of the publications’ sponsors require assessment against the relevant records and independently verifiable evidence.
Ultimately, the issues should be resolved through documentary verification, transparent institutional processes and fair reporting that protects individuals from demonstrably false allegations without shielding public officials from legitimate scrutiny.
Efforts to reach the Force PRO for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication. It will however be delighted to see the Force’s reaction to the recent publications against their former Inspector-General.
