Inside Edo
Human rights group accuses Edo Police of extortion, demands probe
Written By: Admin
26 Sep 2025 06:24 PM
Benin, Edo – A prominent human rights organization, The Bail is Free Campaign Group has lodged a formal complaint against officers at the Evbotubu Divisional Police Headquarters, alleging unprofessional conduct and attempted extortion in a case involving stationery for official documentation.
The Bail is Free Campaign Group, in a petition dated September 26, 2025, addressed to the Oba Market Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command, claims that Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and Inspector Blessing demanded payment for case files and foolscap paper from complainant Mr. John Ivbobe, despite government-provided supplies.
The incident, which unfolded on September 25, highlights ongoing concerns about police practices in Edo State, where recent reports have exposed similar extortion cases.
According to the petition, signed by Oni-Edigin Justice, Director General of the group, Mr. Ivbobe contacted the organization's help desk after being instructed by Inspector Blessing to purchase a case file and foolscap paper from external vendors—a demand the DPO later endorsed during follow-up calls.
Despite initial assurances from the DPO to intervene, the officer allegedly reversed course, insisting that citizens must bear the cost of such materials.
Reluctant to delay his case, Ivbobe complied, spending a total of ₦1,700.
The group described the episode as "grossly unprofessional" and a violation of the Police Act 2020, which emphasizes accountability, transparency, and the protection of citizens' rights. It further alleged possible collusion between the division and local stationery sellers, framing the practice as a systemic avenue for exploiting vulnerable Nigerians.
This comes amid broader scrutiny of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), where the Act's provisions on funding and logistics imply that operational supplies like stationery should be covered by the Force's budget, not shifted to complainants.
The Bail is Free Campaign Group, dedicated to promoting justice and eradicating corruption in public institutions, outlined five key demands in the petition sent to Daily South Nigeria:
– A thorough investigation into the officers' actions, with appropriate sanctions for breaching the Police Act.
– Heightened oversight of the Evbotubu division to curb future incidents.
– An official NPF statement clarifying that providing stationery for case files is not the responsibility of citizens.
– Recognition of the practice as potential misappropriation of allocated police budgets.
– Disclosure of stationery supplies received by the division in September, pursuant to Section 1 of the Police Act 2020 on accountability and transparency.
The petition arrives just days after the Edo State Police Command recovered ₦300,000 extorted from a furniture maker by officers at the nearby Oba Market Area Command, with those involved now facing disciplinary action.
In May, six officers were arrested for extorting motorists along the Benin Bypass, underscoring a pattern of misconduct in the state.
The NPF's recent launch of a national Criminal Database System aims to enhance efficiency and reduce issues like missing case files, but critics argue that grassroots reforms are urgently needed to address extortion.
As of press time, the Edo State Police Command has not issued a public response to the petition.
The group urged swift action, stating, "Together, we can build a fair and egalitarian society, thereby strengthening national integrity."
Rights advocates in Benin City have called for broader reforms, including public sensitization on the Police Act 2020, which prohibits such demands and promotes community partnerships in law enforcement.
The incident has reignited debates on police accountability, with social media users in Edo State amplifying calls for transparency in how the Force utilizes its resources.
The Bail is Free Campaign Group, in a petition dated September 26, 2025, addressed to the Oba Market Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command, claims that Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and Inspector Blessing demanded payment for case files and foolscap paper from complainant Mr. John Ivbobe, despite government-provided supplies.
The incident, which unfolded on September 25, highlights ongoing concerns about police practices in Edo State, where recent reports have exposed similar extortion cases.
According to the petition, signed by Oni-Edigin Justice, Director General of the group, Mr. Ivbobe contacted the organization's help desk after being instructed by Inspector Blessing to purchase a case file and foolscap paper from external vendors—a demand the DPO later endorsed during follow-up calls.
Despite initial assurances from the DPO to intervene, the officer allegedly reversed course, insisting that citizens must bear the cost of such materials.
Reluctant to delay his case, Ivbobe complied, spending a total of ₦1,700.
The group described the episode as "grossly unprofessional" and a violation of the Police Act 2020, which emphasizes accountability, transparency, and the protection of citizens' rights. It further alleged possible collusion between the division and local stationery sellers, framing the practice as a systemic avenue for exploiting vulnerable Nigerians.
This comes amid broader scrutiny of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), where the Act's provisions on funding and logistics imply that operational supplies like stationery should be covered by the Force's budget, not shifted to complainants.
The Bail is Free Campaign Group, dedicated to promoting justice and eradicating corruption in public institutions, outlined five key demands in the petition sent to Daily South Nigeria:
– A thorough investigation into the officers' actions, with appropriate sanctions for breaching the Police Act.
– Heightened oversight of the Evbotubu division to curb future incidents.
– An official NPF statement clarifying that providing stationery for case files is not the responsibility of citizens.
– Recognition of the practice as potential misappropriation of allocated police budgets.
– Disclosure of stationery supplies received by the division in September, pursuant to Section 1 of the Police Act 2020 on accountability and transparency.
The petition arrives just days after the Edo State Police Command recovered ₦300,000 extorted from a furniture maker by officers at the nearby Oba Market Area Command, with those involved now facing disciplinary action.
In May, six officers were arrested for extorting motorists along the Benin Bypass, underscoring a pattern of misconduct in the state.
The NPF's recent launch of a national Criminal Database System aims to enhance efficiency and reduce issues like missing case files, but critics argue that grassroots reforms are urgently needed to address extortion.
As of press time, the Edo State Police Command has not issued a public response to the petition.
The group urged swift action, stating, "Together, we can build a fair and egalitarian society, thereby strengthening national integrity."
Rights advocates in Benin City have called for broader reforms, including public sensitization on the Police Act 2020, which prohibits such demands and promotes community partnerships in law enforcement.
The incident has reignited debates on police accountability, with social media users in Edo State amplifying calls for transparency in how the Force utilizes its resources.
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