The legal practitioners under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikot Ekpene Branch, is accusing the Nigeria Police of turning the curfew into a big money making business.

The petition to the Governor is entitled "Making Fortune out of an Unfortunate Situation: The Case of Police Vis-a-vis the Curfew in Ikot Ekpene Town: an SOS" signed by the NBA Chairman, Sir Cosmas Udoette and Secretary.

According to the lawyers, the Police are feeding fat from the curfew and because of their pecuniary benefits from it, the Police are not willing to have the curfew reviewed, even though the security situation in Ikot Ekpene has greatly improved.

"The Police place themselves at strategic corners of the town every evening and as soon as it is 6pm, they swoop on any motorcyclist and impound their motorcycles.All pleas made to the Police to enforce the curfew with the face had fallen on deaf ears. They impound an average of 100 motorcycles in a day with each defaulter paying between N5000 and N10,000 for its release." The NBA said.

The NBA which described itself as "the conscience of the society and the vanguard of the rule of law" said it is compelled to appeal to the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel to come to the aid of the poor masses of Ikot Ekpene or at least, review the curfew from the present 6am to 6pm duration to 5am to 8pm period.

Akwa Ibom State Government had late last year, imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Ikot Ekpene, following inter cults war, which led to incessant killings and daylight robbery.