Documents obtained by Swift Reporters have challenged recent allegations that Blue Sea Investments Limited was not properly registered and secured a Nigeria Police Force (NPF) contract without the required due-process approvals.
A Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) public-search record indicates that Blue Sea Investments Limited, with registration number RC 273945, was incorporated on June 14, 1995. The record directly contradicts claims that the company was never legally registered.
Further documents reviewed by Swift Reporters also indicate that the procurement process involving the company was subjected to scrutiny by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), the agency responsible for ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s public procurement framework.
A BPP letter dated September 10, 2024, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, referenced the proposed procurement of security equipment from M/S Blue Sea Investment Limited with a total value of ₦1.408 billion.
According to the document, the procurement comprised 1,450 units of NATO Past Type ST-4 helmets valued at ₦638 million and 1,400 units of Armoured Vest 183 valued at ₦770 million.
The BPP correspondence further indicated that, following its review of the procurement, a Due Process Certificate of “No Objection” could be granted. The document therefore provides evidence that the transaction was not simply concluded outside the established procurement framework, as alleged.
The development comes amid renewed allegations against former Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, with the retired police chief now indicating that he has decided to pursue legal remedies over what he described as malicious and defamatory publications.
Egbetokun, who had previously refrained from responding to what he regarded as targeted attacks, said his decision to remain silent may have been wrongly interpreted as an inability or unwillingness to respond.
He disclosed that he had instructed his lawyer to commence civil proceedings against publishers responsible for what he described as defamatory reports. According to him, the publications were unacceptable and appeared designed to damage his reputation.
“I don’t have time for miscreants who thrive only on blackmail. Responding to them will give the falsehoods unnecessary publicity. I know their sponsors and know their motives,” Egbetokun said.
The former IGP also expressed confidence that those responsible for the publications would eventually be identified and held accountable. He maintained that he was not disturbed by the allegations and declined to be drawn into a prolonged public exchange.
Investigations by Swift Reporters further indicated that some negative reports concerning Egbetokun have emerged online amid speculation that President Bola Tinubu could be considering him for another public appointment. Egbetokun neither confirmed nor denied the speculation and declined further comment.
On another allegation concerning the procurement of a police helicopter, a source at Force Headquarters said the contract was originally processed through the required procurement procedures. The source explained that funds reportedly reached the contractor late, by which time the available amount was insufficient to acquire the aircraft under the original terms.
According to the source, the contractor subsequently requested a variation to the contract, which Egbetokun forwarded to the BPP for consideration. The source claimed the variation received approval before Egbetokun left office, although funds were reportedly unavailable to complete the revised arrangement.
The source added that when the police required the helicopter for operations against banditry in the North-West and North-Central regions, the contractor proposed supplying a fairly used aircraft using funds already advanced. Egbetokun reportedly rejected the proposal, insisting that the existing BPP approval was for a brand-new helicopter. The source said the revised arrangement remained unpaid for when he handed over, while the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was aware of the matter and was working toward concluding the procurement.
Sources also explained that allegations concerning feeding, dry rations and other routine purchases should be understood within the Nigeria Police Force’s delegated financial and administrative structure. They said the IGP approves allocations to the Force’s eight departments, 17 zonal commands, 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory, while heads of the various formations manage approved allocations and operational requirements within their mandates.
They further noted that routine items such as tissue paper, milk and dry rations are ordinarily handled through established administrative, financial and procurement procedures, subject to delegated authority. They argued that it would be impractical for the Inspector-General to personally approve every purchase across an organisation as large as the Nigeria Police Force. The Force’s Assistant Inspector-General of Police responsible for Public Accounts and Budget, alongside the Force Procurement Officer, also play roles in financial administration and procurement compliance.
Meanwhile, serving and retired police officers who spoke in defence of Egbetokun’s record described him as a disciplined officer who insisted on adherence to established procedures. A serving senior officer said Egbetokun was widely respected within the Force and did not seek gratification, while a retired officer who worked closely with him described him as someone who “does not cut corners” and follows due process. A retired police commissioner, however, alleged that some individuals behind the negative publications could be disgruntled serving officers unhappy with Egbetokun’s enforcement of rules. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, had not officially responded to the publication as of the time of filing this report.