*Demand End to Police Payment Demands for Petition Services

The Mid-West Bar Forum (MWBF), representing lawyers across Edo and Delta States, has issued a strong condemnation of Police Area Commanders demanding payments before receiving and acting on petitions from legal practitioners. The call for urgent intervention was made during the Forum’s quarterly meeting held on July 5, 2025, at the NBA Benin Branch Bar House.

In a statement signed by Kunle Edun, SAN (Chairman), and Kelly O. Ogbe, Esq. (Secretary), the MWBF condemned this illegal and unethical practice and urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) along with the Commissioners of Police (CPs) of Edo and Delta States to immediately call their officers to order and end the extortion.

The Forum’s meeting, attended by Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Life Benchers, past and current branch chairmen, and members from 14 branches, also discussed critical regional issues, including:

  1. Deteriorating Roads: The MWBF expressed deep dissatisfaction with the dilapidated conditions of key roads such as the Benin-Warri, Benin-Auchi, and Benin-Asaba highways. These roads have become hazardous, impeding lawyers’ ability to attend court sessions. The Forum appealed to the Minister of Works for urgent palliative measures during the rainy season pending full rehabilitation.
  2. Respect for Rule of Law in Crime Control: While condemning all criminal acts, including cultism and kidnapping, the MWBF urged the Edo State Government to respect constitutional rights. It called for restraint against indiscriminate demolition of properties linked to crime without due process, emphasizing the right to fair hearing as per Section 5 of the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025. The Forum resolved to establish a Litigation Committee to challenge any violations of citizens’ rights under this law.
  3. Support for NBA Warri Branch on Revenue Agents: The Forum applauded the NBA Warri branch for successfully challenging unlawful revenue agents on public roads in Delta State. It called on the police and security agencies to enforce the High Court judgment and remove criminal elements posing as revenue collectors, noting that the Delta State Government has officially withdrawn such agents from public roads.
  4. Condemnation of Police Extortion: The MWBF expressed grave concern that police commands in Edo and Delta now require payment before accepting petitions from lawyers. This “condition precedent” was strongly condemned, with a demand for the IGP and state CPs to intervene and stop this malpractice immediately.
  5. Preparation for NBA Annual General Conference: In anticipation of the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference in Enugu, the Forum constituted a social committee, led by David Maduku, to organize events for members attending the conference.

The Mid-West Bar Forum continues to champion the rule of law, ethical conduct, and the welfare of legal practitioners across the region.

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