Nigeria Police Confirm ₦100 Million Transfer to IGP’s Son Was a Banking Error, Funds Returned
Police Confirm ₦100 Million Credit to IGP’s Son Was a Banking Error
The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that a ₦100 million transfer made into the personal bank account of Victor Egbetokun, the son of outgoing Kayode Egbetokun, was a banking error, with the entire amount reversed after detection. The force described the incident as an inadvertent transaction and emphasised that there was no authorised payment or wrongdoing involved.
Official Explanation and Response
In a televised appearance on Channels Television’sPolitics Today, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, addressed widespread social media allegations alleging that the funds originated from the Anambra State Government’s security vote account and were paid into Victor Egbetokun’s account. Authorities confirmed that upon noticing the unexpected credit, the younger Egbetokun reported it to officials and instructed an immediate reversal of the funds.
Hundeyin stated that Victor printed his bank statement to provide evidence that the ₦100 million had been refunded to the originating account and that he subsequently closed the bank account to prevent any further issues.
Petition to Anti-Corruption Agency
To ensure full transparency and dispel public doubt, Victor Egbetokun has reportedly filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking a formal investigation into the circumstances of the erroneous transfer. Authorities characterised this step as part of a comprehensive effort to clarify the origin and mechanics of the transaction.
Public Scrutiny and Context
The clarification follows a social media report that quickly circulated and raised questions about the use of public funds, especially involving a security vote account, which is traditionally a discretionary state government fund used for security operations and subject to limited public oversight. Even though the funds were reversed, the situation has fuelled public debate about financial transparency and accountability within public institutions and among politically exposed persons.
Analysts note that security vote accounts used by state governments for rapid response to security threats are often sensitive in public discourse due to their discretionary nature and limited external audit visibility. Incidents involving large figures, even when reversed, tend to generate heightened scrutiny.
The Nigeria Police Force maintains that the ₦100 million transfer to the IGP’s son’s account was purely accidental, with funds returned promptly after detection. The institute’s public clarification and the petition to the EFCC underscore the dual pressures of maintaining institutional accountability while managing public perception. As the matter continues to attract attention, further independent verification by anti-corruption agencies could help address lingering public concerns about the mechanisms of high-value government fund transfers.
