GOMBE — The Nigerian Bar Association, Gombe Branch, has accused the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Gombe, AIG Emmanuel Agene, of alleged extortion and intimidation, and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to investigate the claims.
The NBA branch chairman, Alhassan Mu’azu, made the allegations on Wednesday after the branch’s monthly congress in Gombe, where members discussed complaints concerning activities at the FCID Annex.
The controversy reportedly followed a complaint by lawyer E.S. Tizhe, who represented Ahmed Shuaibu Gara, a suspect being investigated over allegations of cyberbullying.
NBA Raises Extortion Allegation
According to Mu’azu, Tizhe went to the police facility to represent his client in accordance with the constitutional right of an accused person to legal representation.
The NBA chairman alleged that Agene demanded money before Gara could be released on bail, describing the alleged demand as unlawful and unconstitutional.
Mu’azu said the branch subsequently constituted a committee of bar leaders and elders to investigate complaints about the FCID Annex.
He said the committee had begun gathering information from other lawyers and alleged victims and would submit its findings to the appropriate authorities.
The NBA chairman also alleged that some lawyers had been embarrassed while representing clients at the police facility, describing the reported financial demands as a recurring concern.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.
Lawyer Details Alleged Payments
In a petition dated September 7, 2026, Tizhe alleged that his client was arrested on August 14 over a complaint involving criminal mischief and criminal defamation of character.
The lawyer claimed that after his client’s statement was taken, they were taken to the AIG’s office, where Agene allegedly demanded money for the suspect’s release.
According to the petition, the suspect initially paid ₦100,000. Tizhe further alleged that another ₦100,000 was requested on August 17, while he personally paid ₦500,000 on August 20 after allegedly being threatened.
The lawyer also alleged that lawyers or complainants seeking investigations through the FCID Annex were sometimes required to make payments before their cases could proceed.
Tizhe consequently asked the IGP to intervene and investigate what he described as alleged extortion at the facility.
AIG Denies Receiving Money
Agene, however, rejected the allegations.
In a response dated October 2, 2026, and addressed to the IGP, the AIG said the matter involved an allegation of cyberbullying against Gara.
He said the suspect made a statement in which he allegedly confessed to the offence and that the lawyer subsequently requested administrative bail for his client.
According to Agene, the conditions for bail were communicated to the suspect. He said Tizhe initially offered to stand as surety but was informed that, as the suspect’s solicitor, he could not serve as surety.
The AIG said the lawyer later produced a police auditor, Usman Adamu, as surety.
Agene explained that he directed the lawyer to indicate that he knew the surety and provide his Call to Bar certificate and identification card to facilitate the suspect’s production.
He maintained that the documents were voluntarily submitted and had nothing to do with extortion.
“The AIG Force CID Annex Gombe neither had any discussion of any money and/or received any from both the suspect, the surety and the solicitor,” Agene stated.
Police AIG Challenges Evidence
Agene challenged Tizhe to provide evidence if money had been demanded or collected.
He also alleged that investigators experienced difficulty contacting the surety after the suspect’s release.
The AIG further accused the lawyer and suspect of attempting to use social media to intimidate individuals and seek financial compensation, claiming that similar allegations had previously been made against the FCID Annex.
Agene described the allegations as an attempt to damage his reputation and threatened possible legal action over alleged obstruction and defamation.
NBA Threatens Further Legal Action
Mu’azu said the NBA would provide evidence to police authorities if invited and insisted that the branch would not be intimidated.
He disclosed that Tizhe’s petition had been forwarded to Agene for a response and said the branch was awaiting the IGP’s decision.
The NBA chairman warned that if no action was taken, the branch could seek legal redress against the AIG and other relevant police authorities.
The allegations and counter-allegations remain disputed, with the NBA demanding an investigation while Agene continues to deny demanding or receiving money from the lawyer, suspect or surety.
