Police Arrested And Arraigned Suspected Notorious Land Grabber, Conel Eke Ogwumerum In Rivers State
Dez Mayorz News
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a notorious land grabber in Rivers State and arraigned him in court
A Magistrate court sitting in Port-Harcourt has adjourned the case of the arrested land grabber in Airport Road axis in Obio/Akpor Local Government area to 15 May 2025.
The suspected notorious land grabber popularly known as Conel Eke Ogwumerum believed to come from Rumuoghalu was arraigned by the Rivers State Police Command before a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
The 56-year-old suspected land grabber Conel Eke Ogwumerum, and others at large are facing 21 count charges bothering on, including conspiracy, stealing, malicious damages of properties worth billions of naira, and breach of peace.
Dez Mayorz News gathered that the land he is trying to grab is over 5,000 plots of land located around Airport Road axis to Rumuekini axis.
Mr. Eke uses a court judgment he got years back around Rumuoghalu (Sars road) to grab lands that are far away from where he got the judgment, making it the fourth time he is using such to grab lands.
Some of the properties involved are owned by Salvation Ministry Church, Dunamis Church, Nigerian Society of Engineers, and Nigerian Pharmaceuticals Association, to mention but a few, which the community sold to them for over 15 years ago.
The Rivers State police command under the watch of the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju,
ensured the right thing was done and made sure they were charged to court.
During the court proceedings, the P.U Alikor defendant Counsel made an application for the defendant’s bail with the submission that the offenses against his client are bailable.
He stressed that the defendant was actually in execution of the Court order while urging the court to grant the defendant bail as it is his constitution rights.
The prosecutor counsel Chief Superintendent of Police CSP Ikechukwu Onwochei, in his submissions urged the Court that while exercising its discretion it should consider some factors such as the defendant obstructing the court of justice by jumping bail or running away.
CSP Ikechukwu Onwochei told the court that the police have had bitter experiences with the defendant as he has been on the run since June 18, 2024.
The Chief Magistrate Rosemary Ibanibo, after listening to counsel’s submission on the matter granted the defendant bail with a five million naira fine, to provide two sureties, one a recognized traditional ruler with value property worth five hundred million naira, a level sixteen Civil servant each to submit 2 passport photographs.
Chief Magistrate Ibanibo also said the defendant must enter into an undertaking that while the trial is on he will never go to harass or threaten the claimants.
She however advised the public to desist from taking laws into their hands by destroying people buildings and property as time is hard.
You may recall that over 200 landowners are victims of the current land-grabbing situation in Rumuosi Ohia-Egbelu axis of Airport Road in Rivers State.
Some individuals who spoke to our correspondent said they are victims of the activities of the suspected land grabber, Ogwumerum Eke have narrated the violence they suffered in the hands of the alledged land invader.
They said they were beaten up and their property worth billions of naira destroyed.
They are, however, calling on authorities in the state to come to their aid.
In the meantime, council to the Rivers State the Nigerian Society of Engineers in Rivers State, NJ Okuru aswell as council to a firm – Leave Works Nigerian Limited, Ipalibo BobManuel while narrating the crux of the matter said their clients have suffered immense losses as a result of the activities of the alleged land grabber.
In their separate comments outside the courtroom, the lawyers condemned the alledged actions of the accused, Ogwemerum Eke describing it as lawless.
Meanwhile, the chairman Pharmaceutical Society of Nigerian in Rivers State, ANELE PROMISE has called on the Judiciary to ensure justice is done for the association over the issues of land grabber that demolished its Council secretary in the state.
ANELE PROMISE in chat with journalists at the Magistrate court premises said the suspected land grabber know as Conel Ake allegedly stole properties worth millions belonging to the Secretariat,
He said they are in court to ensure justice is served over the matter .
The chairman Pharmaceutical Society of Nigerian in Rivers State, ANELE PROMISE however said they will not relent in ensuring that the suspect who had been on the wanted list of the Police face the full weight of the law.
Dez Mayorz Report.
Credit: Eastwest Report.