Gombe NBA: AIG Agene Extortion Allegation Prompts Probe Call

• The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe Branch, has accused AIG Emmanuel Agene of the FCID Annex, Gombe, of alleged extortion and intimidation of lawyers and suspects.
• The allegations stem from a specific case where AIG Agene allegedly demanded N100,000 for the bail of Ahmed Shuaibu Gara, represented by lawyer E.S. Tizhe.
• NBA Gombe Chairman Alhassan Mu’azu called for an IGP investigation and formed a committee to probe broader complaints against the Gombe FCID Annex.
• E.S. Tizhe formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, which was forwarded to AIG Agene, leading to alleged intimidation calls to the NBA Chairman.
• The NBA Gombe threatens to sue AIG Agene, the Nigerian Police Force, and the Police Service Commission if the Inspector-General of Police does not take action.

The NBA Gombe Branch views the alleged demand for money for bail as an egregious violation of legal principles, describing it as “unheard of, unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.”

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe Branch, has formally accused Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Emmanuel Agene, who heads the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Gombe, of engaging in alleged extortion and intimidation tactics against both legal professionals and suspects. These serious allegations prompted the NBA Gombe to call for an immediate investigation by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, into the conduct of AIG Agene and the operations at the Gombe FCID Annex.

The accusation was publicly articulated by Alhassan Mu’azu, the Chairman of the NBA Gombe Branch, following a monthly congress attended by the association's leaders, elders, and members. The controversy initially arose from a complaint lodged by E.S. Tizhe, a member of the Gombe NBA, who was representing his client, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara, at the FCID Annex. Gara had been arrested on August 14, 2026, in connection with allegations of cyberbullying, criminal mischief, and criminal defamation of character.

According to Tizhe's account, after his client's statement was recorded, they were directed to AIG Agene's office. There, Agene allegedly demanded money for Gara's release on bail, despite the constitutional right to bail. Tizhe's petition to the Inspector-General of Police, dated September 7, 2026, explicitly stated that AIG Agene promised bail to his client but then asked Gara to “drop some money.” The petition further detailed that the suspect initially paid N100,000 as a result of this alleged demand.

The NBA Gombe Branch views the alleged demand for money for bail as an egregious violation of legal principles, describing it as “unheard of, unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.” Chairman Mu’azu underscored the fundamental constitutional right of every accused person to legal representation, citing Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guarantees the right to choose counsel whether at a police station or in court. The branch contends that such alleged practices by AIG Emmanuel Agene directly undermine this crucial right.

In response to the initial complaint and other emerging concerns, the NBA Gombe established a committee comprising bar leaders and elders to thoroughly investigate the activities and alleged extortion practices at the FCID Annex. This committee has been actively gathering information from various alleged victims, indicating that Tizhe's case is not an isolated incident. The branch chairman stated that the committee is currently preparing its comprehensive report, which will subsequently be submitted to the appropriate authorities for further action.

Mu’azu also highlighted that several lawyers have reported experiencing embarrassment while attempting to represent their clients at the police facility, suggesting that the demand for money has become a recurring issue. The NBA Gombe has condemned these alleged actions in the strongest possible terms, emphasizing the need for a proper investigation and, if AIG Agene is found culpable, his prosecution.

The situation escalated following E.S. Tizhe's formal petition to the Inspector-General of Police. This petition, detailing the alleged extortion by AIG Emmanuel Agene, was subsequently forwarded by the IGP to AIG Agene himself for his comments. Following this, NBA Gombe Chairman Alhassan Mu’azu reported that AIG Agene contacted him directly, repeatedly asking him to appear before him, which Mu’azu interpreted as an attempt at intimidation or even arrest.

The NBA Gombe Branch is now awaiting the outcome of the Inspector-General of Police's consideration of the matter. The association has made it clear that it is prepared to provide evidence to police authorities if invited, asserting that it will not be intimidated. Should the Inspector-General of Police fail to take satisfactory action, the NBA Gombe has declared its intention to collaborate with the national President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

This collaboration would lead to a lawsuit not only against AIG Agene and the Gombe FCID Annex but potentially against the entire Nigerian Police Force and the Police Service Commission. This firm stance underscores the gravity with which the NBA Gombe views these Nigerian police extortion allegations and its commitment to upholding the right to counsel Nigeria police interactions should respect.

Lawyers representing clients at the FCID Annex Gombe should be aware of alleged extortion practices by AIG Agene, which could impede client representation and constitutional rights, and monitor the ongoing NBA investigation and potential litigation against the police for professional misconduct.

Source: Original reporting via Punch