The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, COCSON, and the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria, BAVCCA, on Friday, February 20, 2026, dismissed recent allegations against Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Uche as sensational and unverified.
Addressing journalists at a joint press conference, the groups described a publication by Sahara Reporters alleging impropriety surrounding the tenure and professional status of the senior police officer as speculative and lacking credible evidence.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, COCSON Spokesperson, Kola Anifowoshe, stated that after reviewing the report and available information, the organisations found no verified official documentation supporting the claims made in the publication.
According to him, “At no point has any competent authority publicly indicted Commissioner Ifeanyi Uche for wrongdoing. The report relies heavily on unnamed sources, conjecture, and narrative framing designed to provoke suspicion rather than present substantiated facts.”
The groups stressed that while journalism plays an important role in strengthening democracy and ensuring accountability, it must be guided by verification, fairness, and responsibility. They warned that the reckless amplification of unverified allegations against serving officers in sensitive security positions could undermine institutional stability.
COCSON and BAVCCA further noted that matters relating to tenure, postings, or service extension within the Nigeria Police Force are administrative issues governed by internal regulations and statutory provisions, not issues to be determined by media speculation.
The organisations referenced Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees freedom of expression, but emphasized that the right is not absolute and does not protect deliberate falsehood, malicious misrepresentation, or defamatory material.
They also cited the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, noting that the law criminalizes the intentional transmission of false information through digital platforms where such communication results in reputational damage or public disorder.
The groups called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate and identify individuals responsible for spreading what they described as misinformation concerning public officers, urging authorities to take appropriate action to safeguard institutional integrity and public confidence.“If there are genuine concerns regarding administrative decisions within the Police, such matters should be addressed through lawful oversight mechanisms and official channels, not through speculative media trials,” Anifowoshe added.
Reaffirming their commitment to truth, due process, and institutional stability, the organisations urged media practitioners and digital content creators to exercise restraint and professionalism in reporting matters relating to national security.
“The rule of law must prevail,” the coalition concluded.