Controversial Socialite Scam: Egbetokun Explains Refusal of Photo Requests at Public Events

ByEditor

Feb 10, 2026 #cybercrime investigation Nigeria, #Dubai prince fraud, #IGP Kayode Egbetokun apology, #Nigeria police reputation, #Nzube Henry Ikeji romance scam

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Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has publicly apologised to “distinguished individuals” whose requests for photographs he has recently declined, saying the decision was driven by caution and not pride at a time when images granted at public events can be “weaponised”.

The statement, delivered at a recent public engagement, reflects a growing concern within the Nigeria Police Force about the reputational risks of high-profile photo opportunities.

Egbetokun said his stance was influenced by the potential misuse of such images in misleading narratives or online campaigns that could harm the integrity of the force or individuals photographed, emphasising that declining a photograph should not be interpreted as arrogance but careful judgement.

The apology comes amid increased scrutiny of a widely circulated image showing the IGP alongside Nigerian socialite, Nzube Henry Ikeji, who has been linked to an alleged $2.5 million romance and investment scam.

According to an investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Ikeji is accused of impersonating a Dubai prince to defraud a Romanian businesswoman of more than $2.5 million, using fabricated identities and social media outreach to cultivate trust before requesting significant funds.

Ikeji’s purported connections extend into elite social and political circles.

OCCRP’s reporting notes that he and an associate allegedly pictured themselves with several prominent figures, including the IGP and other national leaders, to project credibility and social status.

The IGP’s office has not confirmed whether the published photos were taken at a private event or an official function, but the association has triggered debate over the implications for police credibility.

Separately, the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre has said it will investigate the socialite’s alleged role in the sophisticated scam, describing the case as serious and asserting that authorities will seek credible information and evidence to support any legal action.

Egbetokun’s apology thus appears aimed at balancing accessibility and transparency with a need to safeguard institutional integrity in an age where images and information can be rapidly taken out of context.

Analysts say the episode may prompt a review of protocol around photographs and public appearances for senior officials, as well as reinforce efforts by the police to combat cybercrime and fraud that exploit personal and professional networks.