…Command Says Involvement Limited to Providing Security for Court Bailiff
The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed allegations of land grabbing against the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, describing the claims as false and misleading.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the command was reacting to a recent protest by the Rumuosi Council of Chiefs and residents of the community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the protesters had accused the CP of allegedly conniving with land grabbers to dispossess them of their ancestral land at Victory Estate, Rumuosi, and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the matter.
However, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said Adepoju’s involvement in the matter was limited to providing security for a court bailiff executing a judgment.
The statement, titled “Re: Grabbing of Land of Victory Estate Land at Rumuosi,” explained that on March 6, 2025, the Commissioner received an application from O. S. Obior, Esq., on behalf of Kirigust Global Resources Nig. Ltd., requesting police protection for a court bailiff to execute a judgment in Suit No. CCC/22/2015 – Col. Ogwumerum Eke & Anor. v. Chief Friday Ibeabuchi Anya & Ors.
It added that the application was referred to the Department of Operations and subsequently to the Police Legal Section for verification, and the Customary Court, Choba, confirmed on March 21, 2025, that the judgment was valid and that there was no pending appeal or stay of execution. Based on the legal advice received, police personnel were deployed on April 7 and 8, 2025, solely to provide security for the court bailiff, with express directives that the officers were not to participate physically in the execution.
“During the execution, residents of Victory Estate, Rumuosi, objected, stating that while they did not dispute the validity of the judgment, the judgment related to land in Rumuagholu Community and did not cover their property in Victory Estate, Rumuosi. The Commissioner of Police immediately halted the execution and directed the Police Legal Section to investigate the conflicting claims,” the statement read.
“The Command therefore wishes to make it clear that CP Olugbenga Adepoju neither grabbed, acquired, nor took possession of any land belonging to Victory Estate, Rumuosi Community. His involvement was limited to granting police protection to a court bailiff after the judgment had been duly verified.”
The command noted that Suit No. PHC/1467/FHR/2026, instituted by Col. Ogwumerum Eke and three others against the Nigeria Police Force and other defendants, was currently before the Rivers State High Court, and it would allow the court to determine the issues before it. It further warned officers against engaging in land-related matters without proper authorisation and legal backing.
Source verification: Original reporting based on an official statement by Rivers State Police Command spokesperson ASP Blessing Agabe
Editorial Policy: CDA News Nigeria is committed to accurate and balanced reporting on security and legal matters.
Byline: By CDA News Nigeria Correspondent
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