Lagos and Ondo-based law firm, Tope Temokun Chambers, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Ondo State Commissioner of Police over alleged assault, intimidation, and obstruction of justice by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ore Division, Mr. Moses Adeduro.

The complaint stems from an incident on January 8, 2026, when the firm’s lawyer, Adedotun Emmanuel Adegoroye, Esq., accompanied Mrs. Stella Oluwasegun, Managing Director of Niret Marketing Product Company Limited, to the Ore Divisional Police Station to lodge a formal complaint regarding the theft and criminal conversion of company goods valued at approximately ₦20.4 million. The alleged theft involved company staff in collusion with a supplier’s employees and a driver, with some suspects already in custody prior to the visit.

According to the petition, police officers attempted to pressure the complainant into an informal settlement without taking her statement or following due process. When the lawyer objected, he was referred to the DPO, who allegedly dismissed the presence of legal representation, stating that lawyers were unnecessary, and ordered that Adegoroye be forcibly removed from the office. During the ejection, the petition claims, a police officer physically assaulted the lawyer.

Tope Temokun Chambers described the incident as a serious abuse of office, obstruction of justice, and unlawful assault, arguing that it violated the Nigerian Constitution, the Police Act, and the Legal Practitioners Act, all of which protect the rights of citizens to legal representation and the safety of lawyers performing their duties.

The firm has demanded an immediate investigation into the DPO’s conduct, appropriate disciplinary action, a formal written apology to their lawyer, and that the criminal complaint be overseen by higher police authorities to ensure impartiality and public confidence. The petition also highlighted reports of prior complaints against the same DPO, suggesting a potential pattern of misconduct.

“To protect the legal profession and the public, lawyers must be able to perform their duties without fear of harassment or assault. We trust the authorities will act decisively to uphold the rule of law and restore confidence in policing,” said Tope Temokun, Principal Counsel.