June 14, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria
Six leaders of a coalition of civil society organisations have been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after publicly calling for an investigation into alleged multi-billion-naira financial irregularities during the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The activists, operating under the banner of the CSOs Budget Implementation, Assessment, Evaluation and Monitoring Committee, had announced plans to stage a peaceful protest and submit a petition demanding a comprehensive probe into the finances of the Nigeria Police Force under Egbetokun’s leadership.
According to sources familiar with the development, the group was invited to a meeting in Abuja after Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede reportedly reached out to some of the organisers following the announcement of the planned protest.
However, what was expected to be a discussion over their petition allegedly ended in the arrest and detention of the activists. They were reportedly held overnight by police operatives before being transferred to the EFCC.
Those said to be in custody include Ade Mario Emmanuel, John Adeshina, Philip, Kizito, Henry, and one female member of the coalition whose identity was not immediately disclosed.
Sources alleged that the activists are now facing accusations of extortion following discussions concerning an alleged demand for ₦200 million in exchange for suspending their planned protest and withholding information related to the corruption allegations.
Prior to their arrest, the coalition had submitted a petition raising concerns over several expenditures and procurement transactions allegedly carried out during Egbetokun’s tenure as Inspector-General of Police.
Among the allegations were claims of payments made directly to private individuals instead of registered companies, questionable medical assistance disbursements, contracts for police training programmes, procurement of drugs for police medical facilities, and billions of naira spent on projects linked to police institutions across the country.
The group also called for an independent audit of the Police Safe School Intervention Programme, which it claimed involved expenditures exceeding ₦9 billion nationwide.
An audio recording reportedly obtained by journalists allegedly captured conversations between one of the coalition leaders and CP Fakorede regarding arrangements for the meeting that preceded the arrests.
The coalition had planned to hold a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat on June 12 before proceeding to government offices, including the EFCC headquarters, to formally submit its petition and demand a public investigation.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the EFCC nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued an official statement addressing the allegations surrounding the activists’ detention.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
