The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, has called on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, and officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to uphold the highest standards of integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The monarch made the appeal on Thursday while receiving the Lagos police commissioner and a delegation of EFCC officials on separate courtesy visits to his palace on Lagos Island.
He stressed that the reputation of both institutions depends largely on the conduct of their personnel, warning that ethical behaviour remains key to sustaining public trust.
Akiolu noted that law enforcement and anti-corruption work require consistency, honesty and accountability, adding that officers must remain committed to their responsibilities while avoiding actions capable of undermining confidence in the system.
“The police job is one that, if you carry it out with honesty and sincerity of purpose, you will end well. If you do otherwise, the consequences are also there,” he said.
Drawing from his experience as a former police officer, the monarch advised security personnel to maintain moral discipline, avoid negative influences and ensure their actions reflect the values of the institutions they represent.
He acknowledged that while the Nigeria Police Force often faces public criticism, many officers continue to serve with integrity and dedication.
“Be close to God, do not listen to gossip, and let your conscience guide you,” he added.
Akiolu also advocated continuous training and retraining of officers, particularly in addressing concerns around professionalism, accountability and public complaints such as abuse of power. He said improved welfare and supervision would help reposition the police force for better service delivery and stronger community relations.
The monarch expressed confidence in the capacity of the commissioner, urging him to deepen community policing strategies, enhance intelligence gathering at the grassroots, and strengthen collaboration with traditional institutions and local stakeholders.
He also assured the police leadership of his continued support in maintaining peace and security in Lagos.
Earlier in his remarks, Commissioner Tijani said the visit was a mark of respect for tradition and an opportunity to seek royal blessings. He described the Oba as a father figure whose counsel remains valuable to security operations in the state.
“I have come as a son to seek the blessings of my father,” he said, adding that “wherever we serve, it is important to honour the custodians of the land.”
He noted that his previous experience in Lagos would be an advantage in improving coordination, strengthening operational efficiency and enhancing security response across the state.
Also speaking, the Lagos Zonal Director of the EFCC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Bawa Kaltungo, emphasised the importance of professionalism and ethical conduct in sustaining the credibility of the anti-graft agency.
Kaltungo said the commission remains committed to intensifying its anti-corruption operations through investigations, prosecutions and public sensitisation, adding that performance would be continuously improved.
“We do not intend to maintain the tempo; we intend to improve on it. As our chairman often says, we must strive to do our best and ensure we do the right thing. Corruption concerns all of us, not only the EFCC,” he said.
He further urged members of the public to provide credible information to support investigations, assuring that informants’ identities are protected under strict confidentiality protocols.
“The EFCC is one of the safest places to provide information, and confidentiality is guaranteed. We do not expose our informants; otherwise, people will stop coming forward,” he said.
Kaltungo added that even within investigative teams, access to informant details is tightly controlled to ensure security and encourage greater public cooperation in the fight against corruption.
