Group Petitions PCC Over Allegation of Gross Misconduct By Edo CP, Some Police Personnel
…Gives 14-day ultimatum for the removal, sanction, investigate
By Simeon OSAJIE
A group known as “Bail is Free Campaign”, a non-governmental and nonprofit making organization has petitioned the Public Complaints Commission, Abuja over allegations of gross misconduct, massive fraudulent, extortion, abduction, and abuse of Fundamental Human Rights of some police personnel in Benin, Edo State capital.
This was disclosed in the petition dated 7th July, 2025, signed by the Coordinator General of the group, Oni-Edigin Justice and made available to journalists in Benin.
The petition read:
“The Chief Commissioner
Public Complaints Commission
Head Office
25, Aguiyi lronsi Street Maitama, Abuja
FCT, Nigeria.
“14-DAY ULTIMATUM FOR THE REMOVAL, SANCTION, AND INVESTIGATION OF:
- Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika
- OC X-Squad, ACP Akpoguma Harrison (08033991781)
- 2IC to X-Squad (Name Unknown)
- OCCIRRS, SP Osagie (08035083253)
- IPO Ayo (08139099023)
Over Gross Misconduct, Massive Fraudulent Extortion, Criminal Abduction, and Abuse of Fundamental Human Rights.
“We are a registered human rights movement under the Federal Government of Nigeria, headquartered in Benin City. Our organization is committed to upholding justice, fairness, and equity in Nigerian society.
“Background of Misconduct and Complaints:
“1. Since the assumption of office by Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika in Edo State Command, there has been a sharp increase in reports of massive fraudulent extortion, abuse of power, and criminal abductions carried out by certain tactical teams operating directly under his watch. These actions have been widely reported by Nigerian citizens, with complaints and evidence of these allegations sent directly to the CP’s official WhatsApp line. Unfortunately, all of these reports were ignored.
“2. When it became clear the CP was not taking action, we redirected the complaints and accompanying evidence to the Force Headquarters in Abuja via the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU). The CRU, after intervention, sent the matter back to the Edo State Command for investigation. However, instead of assigning an independent officer to investigate the matter, the same accused officers were made judges over their own cases. The resolution that followed was a mere refund of the extorted money, without any disciplinary action, internal query, or sanction to deter future abuse.
“3. A more recent incident confirmed our growing concern that the CP is complicit in these unethical acts. On Saturday, 5th July 2025, a Nigerian citizen called to report that he had been fraudulently extorted of 4515,000 by the X-Squad Unit, under the supervision of IPO Ayo (08139099023). We immediately forwarded the complaint to the CP, OC X-Squad, and the Zone 5 Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO).
“During our interview with the complainant, he admitted that a wrap of Indian hemp was found in the vehicle during his arrest. This, we suspect, was why the CP chose to respond to this particular complaint, unlike previous ones. The CP told the complainant to call him directly. On Sunday, 6th July, at about 3:00 PM, we went with the complainant to meet with the CP as agreed.
“4. However, events took a dramatic turn. Despite the complainant’s voluntary confession about the Indian hemp, he also revealed that police officers forced him – under duress – to unlock his phone, where they found some financial transaction records. Rather than proceed with due legal process, the officers demanded a ransom of $10,000,000, which they later negotiated down to N515,000. This amount was paid via transfer to a POS operator brought into the State Command premises by the IPO.
“5. When the CP heard this confession, he asked the complainant what he wanted, and the complainant requested a refund of the extorted money. Surprisingly, the CP redirected his attention to us, the human rights activists (Oni-Edigin and Comrade Vincent Abulimen) who had reported the matter. With an unfriendly tone, the CP asked us what we wanted. We replied, “justice.”
“In response, the CP asked if we would be willing to stand as sureties for the complainant, stating that if the complainant absconded, we would be held responsible. When we declined, Stating we did not know the complainant personally, the CP threatened the complainant, stating that if the police lacked jurisdiction to prosecute him, he would hand him over to the NDLEA. He also quoted that the offence carried a sentence of less than three years—a statement that should have been confidential but was openly made to intimidate the complainant.
“6. The CP then gave us an ultimatum: we either allow him to prosecute both the police and the complainant or drop the case altogether. This implies that the CP is more interested in suppressing public complaints than addressing the fraud and corruption within his command.
“7. When we refused to act as sureties, the CP said loudly that the money recovered from police officers is what we feed on, insinuating that we were profiting from the extorted money. He then ordered his orderlies to forcefully eyect us from his office.
“8. Before we left, SP Osagie (08035083253) confiscated the complainant’s wristwatch, which has not been returned. The complainant was subsequently handed over to the 21C of X Squad.
“NOTE:
“Let it be on record that the Commissioner of Police, OC X-Squad, 2IC X-Squad, and OC CIRRS SP Osagie should be held responsible for the whereabouts and safety of the complainant if and when
“OUR DEMANDS:
“A. The CP has ignored numerous verified complaints and evidence sent via his official WhatsApp line. His sudden interest in this case after the complainant admitted to a minor offence suggests a deliberate attempt to intimidate us and discourage others from exposing fraudulent activities. We view this as a serious act of gross misconduct.
“B. The CP falsely accused us of collecting fraudulent money from the police. We challenge the CP to present any Nigerian citizen who can testify that we have ever collected a dime for our humanitarian services. Failing to do so amounts to defamation, humiliation, and disrespect to the human rights community.
“C. Nigerians cannot continue to live as slaves in their own land. Therefore, we demand the immediate removal and sanction of the Commissioner of Police, his X-Squad team, the 2IC, and the OC CIRRS. A complete overhaul of the Edo State Police Command is necessary.
“D. If, after 14 days, no action is taken regarding this petition and our complaints are ignored, we will initiate a peaceful protest calling for a thorough reform of the Nigeria Police Force in Edo State.
“We trust that your office, in the spirit of justice and accountability, will act on this urgent petition.
“Yours Sincerely,
“ONI-EDIGEN JUSTICE
“Coordinator General
“Bail is Free Campaign Group
- Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Edo State Branch.
- Director of State Security Services (DSS), Edo State Command.
- The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Edo State Chapter.
- Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Edo State Office.
When The9JaTREND put a WhatsApp chat across to the Police Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Moses Joe Yamu over the allegation levelled against his principal and some police personnel, as at the time of filing in this report, he said “I have not received such petition pls.”
