Police deny land-grabbing allegation against Rivers CP

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju. Photo: Police

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.

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.

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,” partly reads,”The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a social media video alleging that the Commissioner of Police grabbed or facilitated the grabbing of land belonging to residents of Victory Estate, Rumuosi Community, Obio/Akpor LGA.

“The Command categorically dismisses the allegation as false and misleading and wishes to set the record straight by providing the accurate facts and clarifying the circumstances surrounding the matter.

“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.

“The application was referred to the Department of Operations and subsequently to the Police Legal Section for verification. The Customary Court, Choba, confirmed on 21 March 2025 that the judgment was valid and that there was no pending appeal or stay of execution.”

It added, “Based on the legal advice received, police personnel were deployed on 7 and 8 April 2025 solely to provide security for the court bailiff. The Command expressly directed that the officers were not to participate physically in the execution.

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“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. All relevant parties were invited to state their positions, the disputed location was visited, and photographs of damaged properties were obtained.

“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. Upon receiving objections from the residents, he halted the execution and ordered an investigation, which established that the judgment did not cover the disputed property,” the command said.

The command also 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.

It said the command would allow the court to determine the issues before it.

The police further warned officers against engaging in land-related matters without proper authorisation and legal backing.

“The Command wishes to place it on record that all police officers in Rivers State have been warned not to go to any land to guard, enforce or execute any land-related matter without proper authorisation and legal backing, as land matters are regarded as civil, and aggrieved parties should seek redress in court,” the statement added.

While reaffirming the command’s commitment to the rule of law, professionalism, impartiality and respect for human rights, Agabe urged members of the public to verify information before circulating allegations capable of misleading the public or damaging reputations.