In a significant step, Tope Temokun Chambers has formally submitted a petition to the Commissioner of Police for Ondo State, the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, and other relevant oversight entities regarding the alleged misconduct of Mr. Moses Adeduro, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ore Division.
This action comes after an incident on January 8, 2026, at the Ore Divisional Police Headquarters, during which Adedotun Emmanuel Adegoroye, Esq., a legal practitioner associated with Tope Temokun Chambers, was reportedly assaulted and intimidated while performing his professional duties.
In the press release, it is noted that Adegoroye accompanied Mrs. Stella Oluwasegun, the Managing Director of Niret Marketing Product Company Limited, to file a formal complaint about the theft and criminal conversion of company goods valued at approximately ₦20.4 million. This situation arose after it was revealed that certain employees of the company had unlawfully taken and sold the goods in collusion with a supplier’s staff and driver.
The petition states:
“We of Tope Temokun Chambers have formally petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State, the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, and other relevant oversight bodies over the alleged misconduct of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ore Division, Mr. Moses Adeduro.”
“The petitions arise from an incident that occurred on January 8, 2026, at the Ore Divisional Police Headquarters, where Adedotun Emmanuel Adegoroye, Esq., a legal practitioner in our Chambers, Tope Temokun Chambers, was allegedly assaulted and intimidated while lawfully discharging his professional duties.”
“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 their arrival at the station, it is alleged that police officers tried to pressure the complainant into accepting an informal settlement prior to taking her statement, even though those responsible for the stolen goods had already been apprehended. When Adegoroye challenged this approach and insisted on adherence to due process, he was instructed to meet with the DPO.
“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 consider this conduct to amount to a grave abuse of office, an assault and intimidation of a legal practitioner, and a deliberate obstruction of justice, in violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Police Act and Regulations, and the Legal Practitioners Act.”
Further allegations indicate that the DPO dismissed the need for legal counsel, asserting that lawyers were unnecessary at the police station, and subsequently commanded Adegoroye’s forceful expulsion from his office. During this altercation, a police officer reportedly physically assaulted Adegoroye while ejecting him.
Tope Temokun Chambers describes this behavior as a serious abuse of authority and intimidation towards a legal practitioner, signaling a deliberate obstruction of justice. They contend that such actions infringe upon the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Police Act and Regulations, and the Legal Practitioners Act.
The chamber’s demands include:
1. An immediate and comprehensive investigation into the DPO’s conduct and that of other involved officers.
2. Appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with police regulations.
3. A formal written apology to the assaulted Counsel.
4. Transfer of the underlying criminal complaint to higher police authorities to ensure an impartial investigation.
Additionally, the chambers have gathered credible reports of similar misconduct involving the same DPO, raising alarms about a concerning pattern of abuse that calls for urgent action to maintain the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.
The petition emphasizes the principles of justice and professionalism, stating that legal practitioners must be able to perform their duties without fear of harassment or obstruction.
Tope Temokun Chambers hopes that authorities will take decisive actions to uphold the rule of law and restore public trust in policing.
