POLICE REFUTE LAND-GRABBING ALLEGATION AGAINST RIVERS CP
Read Time:2 Minute, 9 Second
By:Aminat Tajudeen
The Rivers State Police Command has rejected allegations that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, was involved in land grabbing, describing the claims as false and misleading.
The command made this known in response to a recent protest by the Rumuosi Council of Chiefs and residents of the community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The protesters had alleged that Adepoju colluded with land grabbers to dispossess them of their ancestral land at Victory Estate, Rumuosi. They subsequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the allegations.
However, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, explained that the CP’s involvement was limited to providing security for a court bailiff carrying out a judgment.
According to the statement, Adepoju received an application on March 6, 2025, from counsel to Kirigust Global Resources Nigeria Limited, requesting police protection for a court bailiff executing a judgment in Suit No. CCC/22/2015.
The command said the judgment was subsequently verified by the Customary Court, Choba, which confirmed on March 21, 2025, that it was valid and that there was no pending appeal or stay of execution.
Following the legal verification, police personnel were deployed on April 7 and 8, 2025, solely to provide security for the bailiff. The command said the officers were expressly instructed not to participate in the execution.
The police added that residents of Victory Estate objected during the execution, arguing that the judgment concerned land in Rumuagholu Community and did not cover their property in Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
According to the command, the Commissioner immediately halted the execution and directed the Police Legal Section to investigate the conflicting claims. Relevant parties were invited, the disputed area was inspected, and photographs of damaged properties were obtained.
The command maintained that Adepoju neither acquired nor took possession of any land belonging to Victory Estate, Rumuosi Community, stressing that his role was limited to providing security for the court bailiff after the judgment had been verified.
It also noted that a related suit, PHC/1467/FHR/2026, filed by Col. Ogwumerum Eke and three others against the Nigeria Police Force and other defendants, is currently before the Rivers State High Court.
The command said it would allow the court to determine the issues before it and warned police officers against engaging in land-related matters without proper authorisation and legal backing.
It further advised members of the public to verify information before circulating allegations that could mislead the public or damage individuals’ reputations.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0