The firm stated that the complaint followed the discovery that some employees of the company, allegedly acting in concert with a supplier’s staff and a driver, unlawfully removed and sold company goods.
A Lagos and Ondo-based law firm, Tope Temokun Chambers, has petitioned top police authorities over alleged assault, intimidation and obstruction of justice by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ore Division in Ondo State, Mr. Moses Adeduro, during the lawful discharge of a lawyer’s professional duties.
In petitions addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission and other relevant oversight bodies, the firm accused the DPO of abusing his office and undermining the rule of law at the Ore Divisional Police Headquarters.
The petition, signed by Tope Temokun, Esq., Principal Counsel of the firm, stems from an incident said to have occurred on January 8, 2026, when one of the firm’s lawyers, Adedotun Emmanuel Adegoroye, Esq., was allegedly assaulted and intimidated at the police station while representing a client.
According to the law firm, Adegoroye accompanied Mrs. Stella Oluwasegun, the Managing Director of Niret Marketing Product Company Limited, to the Ore Divisional Police Station to formally report a case of stealing and criminal conversion of company goods valued at about ₦20.4 million.
The firm stated that the complaint followed the discovery that some employees of the company, allegedly acting in concert with a supplier’s staff and a driver, unlawfully removed and sold company goods.
It added that some of the receivers of the allegedly stolen goods had already been arrested before the visit to the police station.
However, the petition alleged that upon their arrival at the station, police officers attempted to pressure the complainant into an informal settlement without first taking her statement or properly processing the complaint.
The lawyers claimed that when their counsel objected to this approach and insisted that due process be followed, he was referred to the Divisional Police Officer for further engagement.
What followed, according to the petition, was a confrontation that escalated into alleged intimidation and physical assault.
The firm alleged that the DPO dismissed the presence of a lawyer at the station, reportedly stating that legal representation was unnecessary at the police station.
It further alleged that the DPO ordered that the lawyer be forcibly removed 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 complaint followed the discovery that some staff of the Company, acting in concert with a supplier’s staff and driver, had unlawfully removed and sold the Company’s goods.
“Upon arrival at the station, we allege that police officers 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 to this improper approach 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 stated.
Tope Temokun Chambers described the incident as a grave abuse of office, an unlawful assault and intimidation of a legal practitioner, and a deliberate obstruction of justice.
The firm argued that the alleged conduct violates several laws, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Police Act and Regulations, and the Legal Practitioners Act, which guarantee the right of citizens to legal representation and protect lawyers in the lawful discharge of their duties.
Following the incident, the firm formally demanded an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the actions of the DPO and other officers involved, as well as appropriate disciplinary measures in line with police regulations if the allegations are established.
The demands follows, "An immediate and thorough investigation into the conduct of the DPO ORE DIVISION and other officers involved and appropriate disciplinary sanctions in line with police regulations;
"A formal written apology to our assaulted Counsel; and that the underlying criminal complaint be taken over by higher police authorities to guarantee impartial investigation and public confidence.
"We further note that we are reliably informed of existing complaints of similar misconduct against the same DPO, which raises serious concerns about a pattern of abuse of authority that must be urgently addressed to protect the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
"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.
"We trust that the relevant authorities will act decisively to uphold the rule of law and restore public confidence in policing," Temokun added.