A review of Nigeria’s public payments portal, Govspend, has uncovered another controversial financial transaction involving the Nigerian Police Force under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun.
According to the records, the police spent a staggering ₦507.5 million in a single day—December 7, 2023—on the renovation and furnishing of the Inspector-General’s guest house in Maitama, Abuja.
Payment Breakdown
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₦153.4 million was paid to Beckybliss Nigeria Limited, listed as the final payment for extensive renovation and furnishing.
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₦354.1 million was also paid to the same company on the same day, for additional renovation and furnishing works.
This brought the total payment to ₦507.5 million, raising questions about the transparency of the transaction.
Who is Behind the Company?
Checks revealed that Beckybliss Nigeria Limited is owned by Rebecca Omokamo Godwin, a businesswoman currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged ₦500 million fraud.
Godwin—also known as Bilikisu Ishaku Aliyu—is facing a 17-count charge of fraudulent land sales and money laundering. She is being prosecuted alongside her companies, Homadil Realty Limited and Rychado Homes Limited.
Earlier in 2024, witnesses testified in court that they lost millions of naira to her fraudulent land deals.
Previous Spending Scandals Under the Police
This is not the first time the Nigerian Police Force’s spending has raised eyebrows:
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Christmas Decorations (2023): Records show the police spent ₦86 million on Christmas decorations at Force Headquarters and at the IGP’s residences in Abuja and Lagos.
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Branded Towels (2024): Between April and November 2024, the police spent ₦59.4 million on producing Inspector-General branded towels. A single payment of ₦8.4 million was made on April 30, 2024, for 780 branded towels.
Why This Matters
The revelations raise serious concerns about mismanagement of public funds, especially as Nigeria continues to battle economic hardship, rising inflation, and insecurity.
Public accountability groups, including the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), have repeatedly called on the Inspector-General of Police to stop shielding contractors facing fraud charges.
With the EFCC already investigating some of the individuals linked to these deals, questions remain on whether the Nigerian Police will be held accountable for these spending controversies.
