The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe Branch, has officially called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into allegations of extortion, intimidation, and unprofessional conduct leveled against the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Gombe, Emmanuel Agene.
Addressing journalists at the NBA Secretariat in Gombe at a press conference on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the Chairman of the NBA Gombe Branch, Benjamin Mu’azu, condemned the alleged actions of the senior officer, stating that the association would no longer tolerate the harassment of legal practitioners or members of the public seeking justice.
According to the NBA Chairman, trouble escalated after the branch submitted a formal petition detailing instances of systemic extortion and high-handedness involving officers under AIG Agene’s command at the FCID Annex. Following the petition, AIG Agene allegedly attempted to intimidate the leadership of the bar.
“We are condemning this in the strongest terms,” Mu’azu stated. “The AIG kept calling me as the chairman of the branch that I should come, as if he wanted to arrest me. That is wrong. We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that these activities are properly investigated and that the AIG, if found wanting, must be prosecuted”.
Mu’azu added that the Gombe Bar has formally submitted its petition to the police high command and is currently awaiting the outcome of the IGP’s consideration of the matter.
In response to the allegations, AIG Emmanuel Agene strongly denied any wrongdoing, describing the claims as baseless and an attempt to obstruct the police from carrying out their lawful duties.
Speaking through police representatives in Gombe on Wednesday evening, the AIG threatened legal action against the petition’s legal originators, alleging that the solicitor involved could face charges related to the obstruction of justice and defamation of character.
The public dispute has drawn significant attention from legal and civil rights observers across the region. The NBA Gombe Branch maintained that it remains firm in its stance, reiterating that legal practitioners must be allowed to represent their clients without fear of official harassment or unlawful intimidation.
