The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe Branch, has called for an investigation into allegations of extortion, intimidation and unprofessional conduct against the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Gombe, Emmanuel Agene.
The NBA Chairman, Alhassan Mu’azu, said the allegations followed a complaint by a lawyer, E.S. Tizhe, who represented a client being investigated over alleged cyberbullying.
Tizhe alleged that money was demanded before his client could secure bail, claiming that payments totalling ₦700,000 were made. He also alleged that complainants seeking investigations at the FCID Annex were sometimes asked to pay between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000.
The NBA said it had constituted a committee of senior members and elders to examine the allegations and urged Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to investigate the matter.
However, Agene denied demanding or receiving money from the suspect, his lawyer or surety. In his response to the petition, he said the documents requested from the lawyer were connected to the bail process and were voluntarily submitted.
The AIG challenged the lawyer to provide evidence supporting the extortion allegations and maintained that he had not engaged in any wrongdoing.
The allegations remain unproven and are subject to investigation and any further lawful proceedings.
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