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 Community, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The command described the allegation, which circulated in a social media video following a protest by residents and community leaders, as false and misleading. It said the commissioner’s involvement in the matter was limited to providing security for a court bailiff who was executing a judgment.
According to the police, the matter dates back to March 6, 2025, when Adepoju 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 command said the application was referred to its Department of Operations and 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.
Based on the legal advice received, the command said police personnel were deployed on April 7 and 8, 2025, solely to provide security for the bailiff. It added that officers were specifically instructed not to participate physically in the execution.
The situation changed when residents of Victory Estate objected to the execution. According to the police, the residents did not dispute the validity of the judgment but argued that the judgment concerned land in Rumuagholu Community and did not cover their property in Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
The command said Adepoju immediately halted the execution and directed its Police Legal Section to investigate the competing claims. Relevant parties were invited to present their positions, while the disputed location was visited and photographs of damaged properties were obtained.
The police further said it obtained a certified copy of the judgment and the disputed survey and site plan from the Customary Court, Choba, and forwarded the documents to the Rivers State Surveyor-General for charting and geo-location.
According to the command, the Surveyor-General subsequently confirmed that the area covered by the survey and site plan was within Rumuagholu Community and did not cover Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
The police therefore maintained that although the judgment itself was valid, its execution on the Victory Estate property was wrongful. The command said its subsequent investigation led to recommendations for the prosecution of several individuals over alleged offences arising from the disputed execution.
The police said Force Headquarters in Abuja also investigated the matter and reportedly reached similar findings. It added that a nine-count charge, marked PHC/3683/CR/2025, was subsequently filed before the Rivers State High Court against Colonel Ogwumerum Eke and others.
The command maintained that Adepoju neither acquired nor took possession of any land belonging to Victory Estate, Rumuosi, insisting that his role was limited to granting security for the court bailiff after the judgment had been verified.
A separate suit, PHC/1467/FHR/2026, instituted by Eke and three others against the Nigeria Police Force and other defendants, is currently before the Rivers State High Court. The police said it would allow the court to determine the issues before it.
The Rivers State Police Command also said officers had been warned against participating in land-related enforcement without proper authorisation and legal backing. It advised people involved in land disputes to seek redress through the courts.
The command urged members of the public to verify information before circulating allegations capable of misleading the public or damaging reputations, while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, impartiality, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
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