A Lagos and Ondo-based law firm, Tope Temokun Chambers, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Police Service Commission (PSC), and other relevant oversight authorities over the alleged assault, intimidation, and obstruction of justice by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ore Division, Ondo State, Mr. Moses Adeduro.
The petitions, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, the IGP, the PSC, and other supervisory bodies, accuse the DPO of abuse of office and conduct unbecoming of a senior police officer during the lawful discharge of a lawyer’s professional duties at the Ore Divisional Police Headquarters.
According to the petition signed by Tope Temokun, Esq., Principal Counsel of the firm, the incident occurred on January 8, 2026, when one of the firm’s lawyers, Adedotun Emmanuel Adegoroye, Esq., was allegedly assaulted and intimidated while representing a client at the police station.
The law firm stated that Adegoroye accompanied Mrs. Stella Oluwasegun, Managing Director of Niret Marketing Product Company Limited, to the Ore Divisional Police Station to formally report a case of stealing and criminal conversion involving company goods valued at approximately ₦20.4 million.
According to the petition, the complaint arose after the company discovered that some of its staff, allegedly acting in collaboration with a supplier’s staff and a driver, unlawfully removed and sold company goods. The firm noted that some receivers of the allegedly stolen goods had already been arrested prior to their visit to the station.
However, the firm alleged that upon arrival, police officers attempted to pressure the complainant into an informal settlement without first taking her statement or properly documenting the complaint. When the firm’s counsel objected and insisted on due process, he was reportedly referred to the Divisional Police Officer.
The petition alleged that the situation escalated at that point, with the DPO allegedly dismissing the presence of legal representation and stating that lawyers were not needed at the police station. The firm further claimed that the DPO ordered the forcible removal of their counsel from his office.
“We state that our Counsel accompanied Mrs. Stella Oluwasegun, Managing Director of Niret Marketing Product Company Limited, to the Ore Divisional Police Station to lodge a formal complaint of stealing and criminal conversion of company goods valued at approximately ₦20.4 million,” the petition read.
“Upon arrival at the station, police officers allegedly attempted to coerce the complainant into an informal settlement without first taking her statement, despite the fact that receivers of the stolen goods had already been arrested. When our Counsel objected and insisted on due process, he was directed to see the Divisional Police Officer.
“We further allege that the DPO dismissed the presence of legal representation, stated that lawyers were not needed at the police station, and ordered that our Counsel be forcibly ejected from his office. In the process, a police officer allegedly physically assaulted our Counsel by forcefully grabbing him and ejecting him from the office,” the petition added.
Tope Temokun Chambers described the alleged incident as a grave abuse of office, unlawful assault, intimidation of a legal practitioner, and a deliberate obstruction of justice.
The firm argued that the alleged conduct violates the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Police Act and Regulations, and the Legal Practitioners Act, all of which guarantee citizens the right to legal representation and protect lawyers in the lawful discharge of their duties.
Following the incident, the firm formally demanded:
• An immediate and thorough investigation into the conduct of the DPO and other officers involved, with appropriate disciplinary sanctions if the allegations are established;
• A formal written apology to the assaulted counsel; and
• The transfer of the underlying criminal complaint to higher police authorities to ensure impartial investigation and restore public confidence.
The firm also claimed it was reliably informed of existing complaints of similar misconduct against the same DPO, raising concerns about an alleged pattern of abuse of authority.
“We emphasise that these petitions were filed in the interest of justice, professionalism, and the protection of the legal profession and members of the public from intimidation. Lawyers must be allowed to carry out their lawful duties without fear of harassment, violence, or obstruction,” Temokun stated.
The firm expressed confidence that the relevant authorities would act decisively to uphold the rule of law and restore public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.