By Elvira Jordan
The Rivers State Police Command has denied allegations that Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, grabbed or facilitated the takeover of land belonging to residents of Victory Estate, Rumuosi, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The Command said its investigation established that a court judgment used to execute the disputed land order did not cover Victory Estate, Rumuosi, but was limited to an area in Rumuagholu Community.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Blessing Kaborlo Agabe, stated this in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner, following a social media video alleging the police chief’s involvement in the matter.
According to the Command, the Commissioner had on March 6, 2025, received an application from a lawyer representing Kirigust Global Resources Nigeria Limited, requesting police protection for a court bailiff to execute a judgment in Suit No. CCC/22/2015.
The application was referred to the Department of Operations and the Police Legal Section for verification.
The Command said the Customary Court, Choba, subsequently 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, police personnel were deployed on April 7 and 8, 2025, to provide security for the court bailiff.
The Command said the officers were specifically directed not to participate physically in the execution.
However, residents of Victory Estate reportedly objected to the execution, arguing that although they did not dispute the validity of the judgment, it concerned land in Rumuagholu and did not cover their properties in Rumuosi.
The Commissioner subsequently halted the execution and directed the Police Legal Section to investigate the conflicting claims.
The Command said the investigation involved inviting the relevant parties, visiting the disputed location and obtaining photographs of damaged properties.
It also obtained certified copies of the judgment and the relevant survey and site plan from the Customary Court, Choba, and forwarded them to the Rivers State Surveyor-General for charting and geo-location.
According to the police, the Surveyor-General confirmed that the area covered by the survey and site plan was within Rumuagholu Community and did not extend to Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
The Command therefore concluded that although the judgment was valid, its execution on the Victory Estate property was wrongful.
It further said the investigation uncovered alleged criminal offences arising from the wrongful execution, leading to recommendations for the prosecution of several persons, including Col. Ogwumerum Eke, Chief Mike Oyakire, Prince Chima Kelechi and Samuel Chike.
The police said Force Headquarters, Abuja, also investigated the matter and reportedly reached similar findings.
A nine-count charge, No. PHC/3683/CR/2025, was subsequently filed before the High Court of Rivers State against Col. Ogwumerum Eke and others.
The Command maintained that CP Adepoju neither acquired nor took possession of any land belonging to Victory Estate, Rumuosi, saying his involvement was limited to providing security for the court bailiff after the judgment had been verified.
It added that the Commissioner stopped the execution as soon as residents raised objections and ordered an investigation, which established that the judgment did not cover the disputed property.
The Command also disclosed that a separate suit, No. PHC/1467/FHR/2026, instituted by Col. Eke and three others against the Nigeria Police Force and other defendants, is currently before the Rivers State High Court.
It said the police would allow the court to determine the issues before it.
Meanwhile, the Command said police officers in Rivers State had been warned against engaging in land-related enforcement or protection without proper authorisation and legal backing.
It urged members of the public to report any officer found engaging in unauthorised land-related activities to the nearest police station or the Police Complaint Response Unit.
The Command also appealed to residents to verify information before circulating allegations, while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, impartiality, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
