The Ekeanyanwu family of Rumuagholu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, has declared that it is in lawful possession of the disputed Ohia Agbada Esilaru land, measuring over 6,000 plots, following several court judgments in its favour.
Dr. Colnel Ogwumerum Eke, who spoke on behalf of the family in a detailed press statement dated October 23, 2025, dismissed allegations describing them as “land grabbers,” insisting that they are judgment creditors acting strictly under valid court orders.
According to Eke, the family has secured multiple judgments from the Choba Customary Court, the High Court of Rivers State, and the Customary Court of Appeal affirming its ownership of the land. He stated that all appeals filed by opposing parties—representatives of Rumuosi and Rumuagholu communities—had been dismissed at various levels of the judiciary.
A judgment creditor cannot be a land grabber over the piece of land he has won in court,” Dr. Eke stated. “We have multiple judgments in our favour against the 1st and 2nd sets of parties. Conversely, they have none against us.”
He added that the Choba Customary Court had already issued a Certificate of Writ of Possession and Execution dated March 26, 2025, granting the Ekeanyanwu family full possession of the land, while the enforcement was carried out with police protection.
Dr. Eke accused the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Gift Worlu, of allegedly attempting to forcibly take over the land under the guise of a “Committee Against Land Grabbing.” He alleged that Hon. Worlu and members of the committee have sided with individuals who had lost in court, thereby undermining judicial authority.
It is regrettably surprising that what the 1st and 2nd sets of parties could not do through the courts, the 3rd set of parties, particularly Hon. Gift Worlu, is now attempting to do by force,” Eke said.
“He has constituted himself into an appellate court to interpret and override judgments already delivered by competent courts.”
Eke further alleged that Hon. Worlu had made public statements on radio (Naija Info FM) and written petitions to the Inspector-General of Police and the National Assembly seeking to discredit the family’s possession of the land. He described the actions as “an attempt to grab our land using government powers.”
While acknowledging the constitutional powers of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to investigate petitions, Dr. Eke cautioned against legislative interference in matters already before competent courts, warning that such actions could amount to contempt of court.
He emphasized that two new suits—PHC/3142/CS/2025 and PHC/3144/CS/2025—filed by the opposing parties over the same land are still pending before the High Court, and that any external intervention without the court’s approval would be unlawful.
Neither the National Assembly nor any committee can make pronouncements over our Ohia Agbada Esilaru land without first seeking and obtaining the leave of the Honourable Court,” Eke maintained.
“We are law-abiding citizens who have submitted ourselves to the jurisdiction of the court, and we shall resist any illegal attempt to dispossess us.”
The Ekeanyanwu family reiterated its commitment to peace but vowed to defend its rights through lawful means, insisting that all enforcement actions carried out were backed by valid court judgments and orders.
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