EXCLUSIVE: IGP Egbetokun's Power-drunk Staff Officer, Bukola Kuti Pushes Lawsuit Against Sowore, SaharaReporters For Exposing IGP's Son In N100million Anambra Security Vote Scandal

Sources told SaharaReporters that rather than allowing due process or independent investigation, Bukola Yemisi Kuti allegedly mobilised the machinery of the Nigeria Police Force to push for a legal offensive aimed at silencing critics.

Bukola Yemisi Kuti, a Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has allegedly taken control of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and spearheaded efforts to drag the Anambra State government into a controversial lawsuit filed against media organisation, SaharaReporters and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.

The suit, according to multiple senior sources familiar with the matter, is connected to Sowore’s description of Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP” and allegations that Victor Adewale, Egbetokun’s son received a total of ₦100million from the Anambra State government’s security vote account at a time when the state was grappling with severe security challenges.

The Anambra State government, however, declined overtures to join the legal action and made it clear that its name should not be included in the suit.

Kuti, whom an insider described as an “iron lady,” is said to wield enormous influence within the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, particularly over matters relating to promotions.

According to the source, she not only exercises significant control over the promotion process but has also used her position to advance her own career, elevating herself to the rank of Principal Staff Officer 2 (PSO 2).

Kuti joined the Nigeria Police Force in 2012. Despite having colleagues who entered the Force eight to 10 years before her and are yet to attain similar ranks, she has continued to rise rapidly through the hierarchy.

Sources within the Force disclosed that she is now on the verge of being promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), a development that has reportedly generated discontent among some senior officers who believe the promotion process lacks transparency and fairness.

The controversy around her intensified after SaharaReporters published an investigative report exposing the circumstances surrounding the proposed promotion.

The report raised questions about the criteria used in recommending her advancement and highlighted concerns from officers who felt sidelined despite their longer years of service.

Following the publication, the planned promotion allegedly came under increased public scrutiny, with critics demanding clarification from the Police Service Commission and the Force Headquarters regarding the standards and procedures applied in her case.

The insiders further claimed that her influence extends beyond the promotion, alleging that she effectively controls key decisions at the Force Headquarters and has substantial sway over the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

“She controls promotions at the PSC and has promoted herself to PSO 2,” the source said. “She even controls IGP Egbetokun.”

At the heart of the controversy are claims that Victor Adewale Egbetokun was paid ₦100 million from the state’s security vote account — funds typically earmarked for urgent and confidential security operations.

The allegations surfaced in reports published by SaharaReporters.

Sowore had also questioned the legitimacy of IGP Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, referring to him as an “illegal IGP.”

Sources told SaharaReporters that rather than allowing due process or independent investigation, Bukola Yemisi Kuti allegedly mobilised the machinery of the Nigeria Police Force to push for a legal offensive aimed at silencing critics.

Multiple insiders alleged that Kuti currently wields extraordinary influence within the Force Headquarters and over IGP Egbetokun himself.

One source stated, “She is presently in control of IGP Egbetokun. She was the one who influenced Victor to file a lawsuit against SaharaReporters and Omoyele Sowore. The idea was to obtain a court order that would stop Sowore from calling Egbetokun an illegal IGP and SaharaReporters from reporting about the ₦100 million Anambra security vote.”

According to the source, Kuti personally pursued the legal strategy by approaching the Force’s Legal Department.

“She personally took charge of the issue and went straight to the office of the IGP Legal to meet AIG Emmanuel Ade Aina, Director of Legal Services, to guide her (Kuti),” the source said.

The Director of Legal Services at the Nigeria Police Force, Emmanuel Ade Aina, was allegedly consulted on the viability of the suit.

Another insider alleged that the lawsuit was not originally advised by legal experts but was pushed forward due to personal grievances.

“When they spoke to the IG Legal, Mr Aina told them the suit was needless. But because Sowore recently mentioned Yemisi Kuti’s name on social media, she felt she could deal with him. She even referred to Sowore as ‘this bastard,’” the source claimed.

Sources further alleged that Kuti is in a close personal relationship with IGP Egbetokun and exerts significant control over him.

“Since she is a mistress to IGP Egbetokun, he has become her remote control. She also manipulated Victor, telling him they could deal with SaharaReporters and Sowore if they secured a court order,” one source alleged.

The source added that Kuti assured them that once they obtained court backing, the publications of SaharaReporters could be challenged and curtailed.

Despite reported attempts to involve the Anambra State government, sources disclosed that state officials refused to participate in the lawsuit.

“They tried to persuade the Anambra State Government to join the suit, but the state declined and warned them never to mention its name in the suit,” another source revealed.

According to insiders, the state government was not overly concerned about the publication itself and did not see the need for litigation.

“Anambra was not worried about the publication. It was the IGP and his mistress who took it upon themselves,” the source added.

The state government is also said to be wary of reigniting public scrutiny over the ₦100million security vote issue.

“Anambra State Government doesn’t want its name to ring bells again in the public domain over the ₦100 million security vote saga,” the source explained.

Another controversial aspect of the case, according to sources, is that the Anambra State government whose accounts were allegedly used to transfer funds into Victor Egbetokun’s account were not named in the suit.

“The principal suspects whose accounts were used to transfer the money into Victor’s account were not mentioned in the suit,” a source disclosed, suggesting selective targeting.

Insiders described a climate of fear at the Force Headquarters, alleging that senior and recently promoted officers are intimidated by Kuti’s perceived authority.

“Senior officers and even newly promoted officers are scared of her. The atmosphere is tense,” a source said.

“She controls the Police Force for now. It may change tomorrow, but as we speak, she is the turbine controlling everything.

“IGP Egbetokun is weak as a leader. He doesn’t know what he is doing. The Nigeria Police Force is currently in Yemisi Kuti’s hands,” the source alleged. “He has become a puppet.”

In January 19, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that Victor, son of IGP Egbetokun, was accused of financial impropriety following allegations that he received a total of ₦100million from the Anambra State Government’s (ANSG) security vote account at a time when the state was grappling with serious security challenges.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the transactions told SaharaReporters that the funds were allegedly transferred from the Anambra State Security Vote (VI) account domiciled with Sterling Bank into Victor Egbetokun’s personal Zenith Bank account.

The transfers, which were reportedly carried out in September 2025, have raised serious questions about the handling of security funds meant to confront insurgency and violent crimes in the South-East.

According to a document obtained by SaharaReporters, the Anambra State Security Vote VI account, with account number 0102521622 at Sterling Bank, allegedly transferred the sum of ₦100,000,000 into a Zenith Bank account, number 4236010637, bearing the name Victor Adewale Egbetokun.

Sources familiar with the matter said Victor Egbetokun is neither a serving police officer nor a civil servant, and holds no official position within the Anambra State Government or any recognised security agency.

Despite this, he allegedly received funds drawn from a highly sensitive security vote account, which is traditionally reserved for intelligence gathering, operational logistics, and emergency responses to security threats.

Several sources disclosed that the money originated from the Anambra State Security Trust Fund, a pool of resources designed to support security agencies and interventions in the state.

This was reportedly during a period when Anambra was grappling with violent attacks, arson, targeted killings, and widespread fear linked to insurgency activities by non-state actors.

Anambra State has, in recent years, recorded repeated attacks on security formations, government facilities, and civilians, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property. Security votes are meant to provide swift, discreet funding to confront such threats.

However, sources alleged that instead of being deployed directly for security operations, the funds were transferred into the personal account of the IGP’s son, because of his father’s position as the nation’s highest-ranking police officer.

“Because his father was the Inspector-General of Police and wielded enormous influence, the money was allegedly sent straight to his son’s personal account,” one source said.

Sources further alleged that Victor Egbetokun lived an extravagant lifestyle around the period in question, including the acquisition of luxury vehicles, particularly Mercedes-Benz cars, and frequent foreign trips

Although SaharaReporters could not independently verify the specific purchases, multiple sources insisted that his spending patterns raised eyebrows within banking and security circles.

A senior source familiar with the transactions expressed concern that funds meant to address insecurity were allegedly diverted for personal use.

“The troubling part is not just that the money went into a private account, but that it belonged to someone with no official security role,” the source said.

Meanwhile, on January 25, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that Kuti had reportedly asked the IG to push out Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu and send him on retirement.

SaharaReporters learnt that Kuti, who directs postings, now has her focus on Disu, whom they have accused of leaking information about the payment of N100 million into the bank account of Egbetokun’s son, Victor Adewale, from the Anambra State Government’s (ANSG) security vote account.

“Bukky (Kuti) directs postings, and now focuses on AIG Disu,” a top police source told SaharaReporters.

“She has asked the IGP to send Disu on retirement because they have accused Disu of being the source of leaks about Victor’s scandal so she wants Disu to be pushed out on retirement leave even.”