A 56-year-old man, Ogwumerum Eke, popularly known as “Colonel,” has been arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Police Command on a 21-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage of property worth billions of naira, and breach of public peace.
Eke, described by police as a notorious land grabber, was arraigned under charge No: PMC1378c/2025, alongside others currently at large.
During the court proceedings, the defendant’s counsel, P.U. Alikor, applied for bail, arguing that the charges were bailable under Nigerian law. He claimed his client acted in execution of a valid court order and urged the court to uphold Eke’s constitutional rights.
He also told the court that Ogwumerum Eke is a lecturer at Rivers State University.
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However, prosecuting counsel, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ikechukwu Onwochei, opposed the bail application. He argued that the defendant posed a flight risk and had previously obstructed justice. CSP Onwochei informed the court that Eke had been evading arrest since June 18, 2024.
The prosecutor further said that Eke misused the police by falsely reporting the claimants to law enforcement, only to later be found to have wrongfully influenced their arrests. He described the defendant as the leader of a gang of “faceless thugs” who allegedly terrorize victims at his command.
CSP Onwochei warned that granting bail could embolden the defendant to intimidate victims and prevent them from testifying.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Chief Magistrate Rosemary Ibanibo granted bail to the defendant in the sum of five million naira with two sureties. One must be a recognized traditional ruler possessing property worth at least five hundred million naira, and the other, a civil servant not below Grade Level 16. Both are required to submit two passport photographs each.
As part of the bail conditions, Eke must also sign an undertaking not to harass or threaten the claimants while the trial is ongoing.
In a stern warning, Magistrate Ibanibo cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands or resorting to violence, urging citizens to seek redress through appropriate legal channels.
She advised the public against destroying others’ properties, adding that times are hard for people to rebuild or acquire what they have lost. She adjourned the case until May 15, 2025.
Our Correspondent reports that claimants who were present in court were numbering over 80 as some victims were absent in court.
