Integrity Youth Alliance Commends Former IGP Egbetokun for Restraint, Backs Legal Action Against Defamatory Publications
…….. Calls on President Tinubu to consider former police chief for appointment
…….. Says his experience remains valuable to Nigeria
The Integrity Youth Alliance has commended the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for exercising restraint in the face of recurring allegations and publications he considers false, noting that refusing to respond to every provocation can be a deliberate decision to deny purveyors of misinformation the publicity they seek.
The Alliance said Egbetokun’s decision not to engage in public exchanges over every allegation against him demonstrates an understanding that public officeholders must sometimes exercise patience and allow facts, evidence and appropriate legal processes to speak for themselves.
In a statement on Wednesday in Lagos signed by its spokesperson, Danjuma Lamido, the organisation said the former police chief deserves commendation for remaining composed despite the circulation of reports questioning aspects of his administration, including the procurement of police helicopters, feeding arrangements and dry-ration payments.
According to the Alliance, the decision not to respond to every publication should not automatically be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing. Rather, allegations should be subjected to proper scrutiny, with all parties given a fair opportunity to present their positions and supporting evidence.
“Public discourse must not become a platform for trial by media, where allegations are presented as established facts without adequate verification. Every allegation deserves scrutiny, but such scrutiny must be guided by evidence, fairness and a commitment to the truth,” the statement said.
The Integrity Youth Alliance also commended the online medium that contacted the former Inspector-General to obtain his response to the allegations concerning police helicopter procurement, feeding and dry-ration payments.
The organisation described the medium’s approach as a practical demonstration of due diligence and investigative journalism, stressing that responsible journalism requires more than publishing allegations. It also demands efforts to verify claims, consult relevant parties, examine available documents and provide individuals mentioned in a report with a fair opportunity to respond.
The Alliance noted that contacting Egbetokun for his account of the issues was an important step towards balanced reporting and demonstrated the distinction between professional journalism and the indiscriminate circulation of unverified claims.
“An online publication that takes the time to contact a person named in an allegation before publishing or updating its report is demonstrating an essential principle of journalism. Seeking the response of the person concerned, examining available evidence and presenting relevant perspectives are fundamental to fairness and credibility.
“We commend the medium for taking that step. Due diligence is indispensable in investigative journalism, particularly when the subject involves public institutions, public expenditure and the reputation of individuals who have occupied sensitive public offices,” Lamido stated.
The organisation urged media practitioners to sustain this standard by ensuring that allegations involving public officials are thoroughly investigated and that reports clearly distinguish between claims, verified facts and conclusions supported by evidence.
It added that the public deserves accurate information, while individuals accused of wrongdoing deserve a fair hearing before conclusions are reached.
The Alliance further commended Egbetokun for not appearing perturbed by the publications and for expressing confidence that those responsible for any falsehood would eventually be exposed and held accountable.
It said such confidence, if accompanied by a willingness to pursue appropriate legal remedies, reinforces the principle that disputes over reputation should be addressed through lawful and evidence-based channels rather than endless public exchanges.
The organisation maintained that public figures must be prepared to answer legitimate questions about their stewardship, but insisted that accountability must not be confused with the unrestricted publication of defamatory or demonstrably false statements.
On the reported intention of the former Inspector-General to take legal action against publishers of materials he considers defamatory, the Integrity Youth Alliance described the move as a step in the right direction.
According to the group, recourse to the courts provides a lawful avenue for resolving disputes over alleged defamation, allowing the parties to present their evidence and enabling the judicial process to determine the merits of their respective positions.
“If the former Inspector-General believes that certain publications have damaged his reputation through false or defamatory assertions, seeking legal redress is a legitimate option available to him under the law. The courts provide an appropriate forum for determining such disputes, rather than allowing accusations and counter-accusations to continue indefinitely in the public space.
“Those who publish allegations must understand that freedom of expression comes with responsibility. Equally, legal action should be pursued through due process, with respect for the rights of all parties and the independence of the judiciary,” the statement added.
The Alliance stressed that its position does not imply that public officials should be shielded from criticism or scrutiny. Rather, it maintains that criticism must be distinguished from deliberate falsehood and that investigative journalism must be founded on verifiable information, professional ethics and fairness.
The organisation also called on Nigerians to avoid accepting every online allegation as established truth, urging readers to consider the evidence available, examine responses from the persons concerned and allow competent authorities or courts to resolve matters requiring formal investigation or adjudication.
On Egbetokun’s future and the need for experienced public servants
The Integrity Youth Alliance also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider the former Inspector-General of Police for an appropriate appointment, should an opportunity arise that aligns with his experience, competence and the needs of the country.
The organisation argued that, irrespective of the rumours or speculation surrounding his possible future in public service, Egbetokun’s experience remains a resource that Nigeria should not overlook.
It maintained that leadership experience acquired through service at the highest level of the Nigeria Police Force can remain valuable beyond an individual’s tenure, particularly at a time when the country continues to confront complex security challenges requiring institutional knowledge, strategic thinking and effective coordination.
According to the Alliance, Egbetokun’s years of policing experience could be useful in an appropriate advisory, administrative or public-service capacity where his knowledge and expertise could contribute to national development.
The group said the former police chief’s record should be assessed through documented policies, institutional reforms, administrative decisions and measurable outcomes, rather than through rumours or unsubstantiated narratives circulating in the media.
It further stated that Egbetokun’s tenure and leadership approach have attracted attention in discussions about integrity, transparency and institutional accountability within the police, adding that any assessment of his legacy should be grounded in verifiable records and a fair consideration of both achievements and criticisms.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not discount the value of experience in the search for capable hands to serve the country. Former Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun has accumulated years of professional experience within the Nigeria Police Force, including service at its highest leadership level.
“Whatever rumours or speculations may be circulating about his future, his experience remains relevant to national security and public administration. If the President identifies an appropriate role in which his knowledge, experience and institutional understanding can benefit Nigeria, we believe he deserves consideration,” Lamido said.
The organisation added that appointments into public service should ultimately be determined by competence, integrity, suitability for the position and the broader national interest.
It also noted that Egbetokun’s experience could provide useful institutional continuity, especially in matters relating to police administration, operational planning, security coordination and the development of professional standards.
The Alliance called on Nigerians to encourage a culture in which former public officeholders are assessed fairly, held accountable where necessary and given due recognition for verifiable contributions to national development.
Conclusion
The Integrity Youth Alliance reiterated its commitment to responsible public discourse, professional journalism, accountability and the protection of individual rights.
It urged media organisations to continue pursuing the truth through diligent investigation, while encouraging public officials and former officeholders to respond to legitimate concerns through transparent explanations and lawful processes.
The organisation maintained that neither public criticism nor an individual’s reputation should be treated as a substitute for evidence, insisting that the facts must remain central to every serious public debate.
It concluded that Egbetokun’s decision to avoid responding to every allegation, the online medium’s effort to obtain his side of the story and the prospect of resolving disputed publications through legal channels all underscore the importance of restraint, fairness and due process in a democratic society.