The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has denied allegations linking him to land grabbing activities at Victory Estate, Rumuosi, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The Rivers State Police Command, in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, described a social media video alleging that the Commissioner either grabbed or facilitated the grabbing of residents’ land as false and misleading.
According to the Command, the matter dates back to March 6, 2025, when the Commissioner received an application from a lawyer acting 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 Command said the application was referred to the Department of Operations and subsequently to the Police Legal Section for verification.
It stated that 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.
Following the legal advice, police personnel were deployed on April 7 and 8, 2025, to provide security for the court bailiff during the execution of the judgment. The Command stressed that the officers were specifically directed not to participate physically in the execution.
However, residents of Victory Estate, Rumuosi, reportedly objected to the execution, arguing that although they did not dispute the validity of the judgment, the judgment concerned land in Rumuagholu Community and did not cover their properties in Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
The Police Command said the Commissioner immediately halted the execution and directed the Police Legal Section to investigate the conflicting claims.
As part of the investigation, relevant parties were invited, the disputed location was inspected, and photographs of damaged properties were obtained. The police also obtained the Certified True Copy of the judgment and the relevant survey/site plan from the Customary Court, Choba.
The documents were subsequently forwarded to the Surveyor-General of Rivers State for charting and geo-location.
The Surveyor-General, according to the Command, confirmed that the area covered by the survey/site plan was located within Rumuagholu Community and did not extend to Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
Based on the findings, the Police Command concluded that although the judgment in Suit No. CCC/22/2015 was valid and had no pending appeal or stay of execution, it did not cover the property in Victory Estate, Rumuosi. Consequently, the execution of the judgment on the disputed property was considered wrongful.
The Command further stated that its investigation uncovered alleged criminal offences arising from the wrongful execution, leading to recommendations for the prosecution of persons including Col. Ogwumerum Eke, Chief Mike Oyakire, Prince Chima Kelechi and Samuel Chike, among others.
It added that the Force Headquarters, Abuja, also investigated the matter and reportedly reached similar findings.
A nine-count charge, marked No. PHC/3683/CR/2025, was subsequently filed before the High Court of Rivers State against Col. Ogwumerum Eke and others at large.
The Command therefore maintained that CP Olugbenga Adepoju neither acquired nor took possession of any land belonging to Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
It explained that the Commissioner’s involvement was limited to authorising police protection for a court bailiff after the judgment had been verified. According to the Command, he halted the execution as soon as residents raised objections and ordered an investigation, which established that the judgment did not cover the disputed property.
The Police Command also disclosed that Suit No. 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.
It said the police would allow the court to determine the issues before it.
The Command further warned police officers in Rivers State against participating in land-related activities without proper authorisation and legal backing, stressing that land disputes are civil matters that should be resolved through lawful judicial processes.
Members of the public were urged to report any police officer found engaging in unauthorised land-related activities to the nearest police station or the Complaint Response Unit (CRU).
The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, professionalism, impartiality and respect for human rights, while urging members of the public to verify allegations before circulating information capable of misleading the public or damaging reputations.
CRU Contact Numbers:
07057605209
07057605256
08120822987
07072323049
ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, ANIPR, Esq.
Police Public Relations Officer
For: Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command
