The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed allegations that the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, was involved in the alleged grabbing of land belonging to residents of Victory Estate, Rumuosi, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The command described the allegation as “false and misleading” while responding to a protest by the Rumuosi Council of Chiefs and residents over the disputed property.
The protesters had accused Adepoju of allegedly conniving with land grabbers to dispossess them of their ancestral land 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 the CP’s involvement was limited to providing security for a court bailiff executing a judgment.
Agabe said, “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.”
She said the application was referred to the Department of Operations and the Police Legal Section for verification, adding that the Customary Court, Choba, confirmed on March 21, 2025, that the judgment was valid and there was no pending appeal or stay of execution.
The statement said, “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.”
Agabe said residents of Victory Estate objected during the execution, arguing that while they did not dispute the validity of the judgment, it concerned land in Rumuagholu Community and did not cover their property in Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
She said the Commissioner “immediately halted the execution” and directed the Police Legal Section to investigate the conflicting claims.
The spokesperson said all relevant parties were invited to state their positions, while the disputed location was visited and photographs of damaged properties 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,” the statement said.
It added, “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 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 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.
“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,” Agabe said.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, professionalism, impartiality and respect for human rights, while urging members of the public to verify information before circulating allegations capable of misleading the public or damaging reputations.
