Delta DPO Under Fire for Allegedly Torturing Lawyer Over Bail Request

NBA Urged to Intervene as Reports Allege Human Rights Violation by SP Itedjere Keeton

A disturbing case of alleged police brutality has emerged from Isiokolo, Delta State, where a legal practitioner, Matthew Oghenegweke Emanuwa, Esq., was reportedly assaulted and tortured by police officers while carrying out his professional duties.

TJ News Nigeria learned that the incident occurred at the Isiokolo Divisional Police Station when the lawyer visited the station to secure the bail of his client involved in a minor offence. Rather than receive due cooperation from the police, Emanuwa was allegedly subjected to inhumane treatment by officers led by the Divisional Police Officer, identified as SP Itedjere Keeton.

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Allegations of Brutal Assault

According to eyewitness and legal community accounts, the lawyer was:

• Slapped repeatedly by the DPO and other officers

• Kicked and beaten to the point of sustaining visible injuries

• Left with torn clothing and bruises

• Humiliated and verbally abused in the presence of other detainees and staff

TJ News Nigeria gathered that the incident has sent shockwaves through the legal community in Delta State, with many lawyers condemning the attack as a direct affront to the rule of law and a grave violation of constitutional rights.

Legal Community Reacts

Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), particularly from the Ughelli Branch, have called for urgent disciplinary action against the DPO and all officers involved in the alleged attack.

One senior legal practitioner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the conduct of the police as “a throwback to the dark era of military rule,” stating that Nigeria’s democracy must not tolerate such unlawful actions.

“This was not just an attack on a person but on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and on the entire legal profession,” the source said.

TJ News Nigeria reports that the victim was at the station strictly in his capacity as a lawyer representing a client, which is a lawful duty protected under the Legal Practitioners Act and the Constitution.

Profile of the DPO in Question

SP Itedjere Keeton, who is currently serving as the Divisional Police Officer at the Isiokolo station, has reportedly built a reputation for disrespecting legal practitioners and disregarding court orders.

Multiple legal professionals who spoke with TJ News Nigeria claim this is not the first time the DPO has been involved in such controversies.

“He operates the station like a private fiefdom. Lawyers are routinely harassed, and human rights violations are now rampant. This must stop,” said another aggrieved lawyer.

Call for Immediate Action

The Ughelli NBA has been urged to swiftly:

• Petition the Delta State Commissioner of Police

• File a complaint with the Police Service Commission

• Request disciplinary proceedings against SP Keeton

• Mobilize national NBA support to ensure justice is served

Legal experts insist that silence over the matter would embolden further abuse and set a dangerous precedent.

TJ News Nigeria learnt that human rights advocacy groups, including the National Human Rights Commission and Access to Justice, are already being notified and are expected to issue statements in the coming days.

Police Yet to Respond

As of the time of this report, the Delta State Police Command has not issued an official statement addressing the allegations. Calls and emails sent to the command’s spokesperson went unanswered.

Context and Legal Implications

Under Nigerian law, legal practitioners are protected in the execution of their professional duties. Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution provide for the right to personal liberty and fair hearing, respectively. The alleged conduct of the Isiokolo police officers stands in stark contrast to these constitutional guarantees.

 

Legal observers warn that if no action is taken, it could weaken public trust in law enforcement and embolden impunity within the Nigeria Police Force.