The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed allegations of land grabbing against Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju over the disputed Victory Estate, Rumuosi, land in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The Command described the allegation as false, saying the commissioner only authorised police protection for a court bailiff executing a judgment in Suit No. CCC/22/2015.
In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, said the execution was halted after residents objected that the judgment covered land in Rumuagholu, not Victory Estate.
The Command said an investigation, including verification by the Rivers State Surveyor-General, confirmed that the disputed property was outside the area covered by the judgment, making its execution on Victory Estate wrongful.
It added that several persons, including Col. Ogwumerum Eke, Chief Mike Oyakire, Prince Chima Kelechi and Samuel Chike, were recommended for prosecution over alleged criminal offences arising from the incident.
A nine-count charge was subsequently filed before the Rivers State High Court, while a separate suit involving the matter remains pending.
The police maintained that Adepoju neither acquired nor took possession of the land and warned officers against involvement in land matters without proper authorisation and legal backing.
Members of the public were urged to report unauthorised police involvement in land disputes to the nearest station or the Complaint Response Unit on 07057605209, 07057605256, 08120822987 or 07072323049.
