The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun obstructed justice in a rape case involving an American citizen and an Indian national, describing the claims as baseless and malicious.
The allegations were contained in a letter dated August 1, 2025, authored by a former Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Abduyari S. Lafia, and addressed to the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills. In the letter, Lafia accused the IGP of shielding one Mr. Kumar Gurav, an Indian national accused of rape, from prosecution.
However, senior police source who spoke to The Trumpet on Monday under anonymity said there was “no iota of truth” in the claims, insisting the former AIG was merely attempting to discredit the IGP after being exposed for allegedly falsifying his retirement records to extend his tenure.
“Lafia cannot be trusted. He has been battling multiple corruption and misconduct cases in the Force, and his credibility is already tainted,” the source said.
The source revealed that in 2021, while serving as Deputy Commissioner at the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Lafia was indicted for diverting monetary exhibits worth ₦11.7 million and €30,200. A disciplinary panel found him culpable and recommended his dismissal from the Police Force.
“He was dismissed but later reinstated because of high-level connections. Everyone in the Force knows this story,” the source stated.
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Police insiders further disclosed that Lafia fabricated the obstruction allegations after Egbetokun exposed discrepancies in his service records. Official documents showed that while his retirement date was originally set for January 1, 2025, it was later manipulated to read December 31, 2025. The discovery led to his suspension earlier this year.
A wireless message dated January 9, 2025, signed by the Force Secretary, confirmed that the Police Service Commission (PSC) had approved Lafia’s suspension and directed that his salary be stopped immediately pending the outcome of his case before the Force Disciplinary Committee.
Further findings showed that during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Police in 2017 under then-IGP Ibrahim Idris, Lafia absented himself from duty for over three months without leave, contravening Nigeria’s Public Service Rules (2008, as amended). Despite being queried by the Commandant of the Police Academy, Wudil, he allegedly ignored the directive.
Sources also accused him of manipulating his entry date into the Force to extend his service years — an act described as a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the Nigeria Police.
