Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, Egbetokun said criticism, especially when constructive, is welcomed and helps to keep public officials accountable. “We don’t arrest anybody for abusing anybody. Have you not seen how they abuse the IG on social media? Have you heard we arrested anybody for abusing the IG?”
He emphasized that citizens have the right to free expression as long as it does not involve publishing falsehood. The IG cited provisions of the Cybercrime Act, which makes it a criminal offense for anyone to publish false information that can injure the personality of another person.
“If you publish falsehood that can injure the personality of that other person, it’s an offense. It’s a criminal offense,” he said. He noted that such cases used to be civil matters in the past but are now treated as criminal offenses under the current law.
The IG also revealed that although he had been a victim of multiple defamatory publications, he often refrains from pursuing legal action due to the sensitivity of his office. “I know many times falsehood have been published against me and I will just be quiet. It’s because of my sensitive position.”
Egbetokun’s remarks come amid growing concerns and recent allegations that the police have been using their powers to clamp down on critics and dissenting voices. The IG’s statement aims to clarify the police’s stance on freedom of expression and the limits of criticism.
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