The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that the N100 million paid into the personal bank account of Victor Egbetokun, son of the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was a banking error and that the money was returned immediately after the incident was discovered.
The police made the clarification following widespread reports and allegations that the funds were transferred from the Anambra State Government’s security vote account.
Speaking on a television programme, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the transfer was not linked to any wrongdoing and was quickly reversed after Victor noticed the unexpected credit in his account.
According to Hundeyin, the son of the IGP reported the issue immediately and instructed his bank to return the money.
He said, “He saw N100 million in his account and told his accounts officer to reverse it immediately, which he did.”
The police spokesperson explained that the transaction was a mistake and that the funds were sent back to the originating account shortly after.
He added that Victor printed his bank statement and presented it to authorities to confirm that the money had been returned.
Hundeyin also disclosed that the young man later closed the account to prevent further misuse or suspicious transactions.
He said Victor had also written a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the allegation and clear his name.
The clarification comes after activist and politician Omoyele Sowore raised concerns about the transfer, which sparked debate and criticism on social media.
Many Nigerians questioned how such a large amount of public funds could be mistakenly transferred into a private account.
Some also called for transparency and accountability in the management of security votes.
The police said the matter was misrepresented online and stressed that no public funds were misappropriated.
They described the incident as a routine banking error that was corrected immediately.
The development has drawn attention to issues surrounding public finance, security vote spending and transparency in Nigeria.
Security votes are funds allocated to state governments and security agencies for confidential operations, and they have long been a subject of public debate.
Critics argue that the funds lack adequate oversight and are prone to abuse.
Civil society groups have repeatedly called for reforms to ensure accountability and proper monitoring.
The controversy has also highlighted the growing role of social media in shaping public perception and political narratives.
Observers say allegations involving public officials and their families often spread quickly online, sometimes without full verification.
This, they note, can increase pressure on authorities to respond promptly.
Analysts say the police clarification reflects a broader need for public institutions to communicate more transparently and quickly in the digital age.
They argue that silence or delayed responses often fuel speculation and mistrust.
The case also comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying its fight against corruption and financial crimes.
Agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC have been strengthening oversight and enforcement efforts.
However, public trust remains a major challenge.
Experts say confidence in institutions depends on transparency and accountability.
The situation has also raised questions about banking controls and safeguards.
Financial experts say banks must strengthen internal checks to prevent errors in large transactions.
They note that mistaken transfers, though not uncommon globally, require strong monitoring to prevent fraud.
The police insist that the incident does not suggest any wrongdoing.
They say the immediate reporting and reversal demonstrate transparency and responsibility.
The development has also generated political reactions, with supporters of the police leadership saying the matter was exaggerated for political reasons.
Others, however, insist that the incident highlights deeper governance issues.
Some analysts say the controversy reflects wider public frustration over economic hardship and corruption.
They note that Nigerians are increasingly sensitive to allegations involving public funds.
The issue of security vote management has been particularly controversial.
Several reforms have been proposed in recent years, including legislative oversight and public disclosure.
However, many of these proposals have not been fully implemented.
Observers believe the current debate may revive discussions about reform.
Transparency advocates say greater accountability would improve trust and reduce controversies.
The police have assured Nigerians that they remain committed to integrity and accountability.
They also warned against spreading unverified allegations that could damage reputations.
As investigations continue, attention is expected to focus on the source of the mistaken transfer and measures to prevent future occurrences.
For many Nigerians, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency in public finance.
It also underscores the need for stronger institutional controls.
The coming weeks may determine whether the controversy fades or leads to broader reforms in financial governance.
For now, the police maintain that the transaction was a simple error and that the money was returned without delay.
The case is likely to remain in public discourse, given its implications for governance, accountability and trust in Nigeria’s institutions.
