A storm of controversy has erupted following serious allegations that officers within the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit attempted to derail an ongoing criminal trial in Delta State through a multi-million naira bribery scheme.
According to multiple reports, the suspects—allegedly involved in a violent attack on court officials and police officers during the enforcement of a land judgment—are accused of orchestrating a campaign to halt their prosecution by petitioning the IGP Monitoring Unit. The suspects, including Linus Osemene and Japhet Biose, are currently facing a 10-count charge at the Federal High Court in Asaba, including illegal possession of firearms, assault, and armed robbery.
Despite a full investigation already conducted by Zone 5 Police Headquarters in Benin and sanctioned by the IGP, officers from the Monitoring Unit, led by SP Mojirade Obisiji, reportedly seized the original case file and pressured Zone 5 to terminate the trial. This move, legal experts argue, violates established police protocols and a standing directive prohibiting parallel investigations into active court cases.
Community leaders and legal observers have condemned the alleged interference, citing a disturbing pattern of intimidation against victims and witnesses. Some reports claim the suspects boasted of paying ₦30 million to influence the outcome of the case.
The Nigerian Police Force has yet to issue an official statement addressing the allegations. However, civil society groups and community stakeholders are calling for an independent investigation and the immediate return of the case file to the appropriate authorities.
“This is not just about one case,” said a spokesperson for the Delta Legal Advocacy Forum. “It’s about the integrity of our justice system and the need to ensure that no one is above the law.”