A High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has sentenced the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, to prison for failing to comply with a court ruling regarding the use of a disputed parcel of land in the Yenizue-gene community.
The ruling stems from a judgment delivered on November 26, 2016, in suit number YHC/210/2014, which upheld a prior Court of Appeal decision in appeal suit number CA/PH/170/2018.
The verdict favoured nine families from the Yenizue-gene community over land currently occupied by the state’s security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo.
The lead counsel for the claimants, Barrister Ukunbiriowei Saiyou, confirmed during a press briefing that the court issued the imprisonment order following a ruling by the presiding judge, Honorable Justice R. Ajuwa, on December 27, 2024.
He stated, “The claimants initiated committal proceedings against the Commissioner of Police in 2022 due to his noncompliance with a court ruling.”
According to him, the police failed to appear before the court or challenge previous decisions.
The final application for committal was determined in 2024, leading to the judge’s order for the Commissioner’s imprisonment.
The claimants have urged the Inspector General of Police to intervene, ensuring that the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police complies with the Court of Appeal’s judgment delivered in Port Harcourt on June 10, 2021, or risk facing arrest.
Saiyou further explained, “Since Saipem vacated the land in Asam, situated along Elebele-Opolo Road and now housing Operation Doo-Akpo, our clients have been unlawfully denied possession of their property.”
He pointed out that the police and Operation Doo-Akpo continue to occupy the land without the consent of the families, despite both the High Court and Court of Appeal ruling in their favour.
Representatives of the affected families, Chief Honest Boye Wilson and Hon. Manager Fabiri, also spoke on the matter, stressing their commitment to legal means in reclaiming their property.
“We remain peaceful and law-abiding citizens. We will not engage in public demonstrations against either the state government or the police,” they stated in a joint release.
When contacted for a response, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, ASP Musa Mohammed, said: “The Bayelsa Police Command is not aware of this. But if you have the court document, please kindly send it to me on WhatsApp for proper findings.”
