Need help removing iCloud account from iPad 2 running iOS 9.3.5 without password

[You Gotta be Joshing me]

Recently I've received a secondhand iPad 2 from a relative, they have forgotten their password and need to reset the device, I've tried all kinds of different methods to remove the iCloud account, pretty much everything I've tried is either outdated or requires some kind of paid software.

[Petie]

You pretty much can't without the password. It's called activation lock and it's there to deter theft. If your relative still has their original proof of purchase, you can take it to an Apple Store but otherwise, you need that password or for your relative to reset it (using the forgotten password function).