The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that a court judgment used in an attempted execution at Victory Estate, Rumuosi, did not cover the disputed estate, supporting a central concern raised by human rights activist and public affairs commentator Onwuka Chimezie, popularly known as Mezie.
The finding concerns Suit No. CCC/22/2015 — Col. Ogwumerum Eke & Anor. v. Chief Friday Ibeabuchi Anya & Ors. The police said the judgment was valid, enforceable and not subject to any pending appeal or stay of execution, but applied to land in Rumuagholu Community rather than Victory Estate, Rumuosi, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The controversy began on March 6, 2025, when a lawyer acting for Kirigust Global Resources Nig. Ltd. requested police protection for a court bailiff seeking to execute the judgment. After the Customary Court, Choba, confirmed the judgment’s validity on March 21, police personnel were deployed on April 7 and 8 to provide security. The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, reportedly directed them not to participate physically in the execution.
The operation was halted after Victory Estate residents objected, arguing that the judgment concerned Rumuagholu Community and did not cover their properties. The Commissioner then ordered an investigation.
Investigators invited the relevant parties, inspected the site, obtained photographs of damaged properties and secured certified copies of the judgment and survey plan. The documents were forwarded to the Surveyor-General of Rivers State, who, according to the police, confirmed that the survey covered land in Rumuagholu Community and did not extend to Victory Estate.
The Command consequently concluded that the execution at Victory Estate was wrongful. It also said the investigation uncovered alleged criminal offences and that several individuals, including Col. Ogwumerum Eke, Chief Mike Oyakire, Prince Chima Kelechi and Samuel Chike, were recommended for prosecution. The Force Headquarters in Abuja reportedly reached similar conclusions, after which a nine-count charge, marked PHC/3683/CR/2025, was filed before the Rivers State High Court against Eke and others at large.
The findings align with Chimezie’s earlier criticism that the judgment did not cover the properties affected by the operation. Reports said he criticised Commissioner Adepoju over the alleged use of police personnel in the dispute, comments later linked to his reported arrest in Abuja on September 4, 2026.
The Command denied that Adepoju acquired or took possession of land at Victory Estate, saying his role was limited to providing security for the bailiff and halting the operation after residents objected. It also warned officers against enforcing land-related matters without proper authorisation, stressing that such disputes should be resolved through the courts.
The police said Suit No. PHC/1467/FHR/2026, filed by Col. Eke and three others against the Nigeria Police Force and other defendants, remains before the Rivers State High Court. The Command added that it would allow the court to determine the issues.
Chimezie’s reported arrest also prompted calls from lawyers and rights advocates for his release and an investigation into the circumstances of his detention.
The broader dispute remains before the courts, but the police report confirms that the judgment relied upon during the attempted execution did not extend to Victory Estate, Rumuosi.
