In the quiet community of Rumuosi in Rivers State, the sound of bulldozers has replaced birdsong. What was once a peaceful expanse of dreams and investments has turned into a battlefield of sorrow, anger, and pleas for justice.

At the Magistrate Court 2, presided over by Magistrate Rosemary Ibanibo on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 the court mentioned a case involving Colonel Eke, a man residents say has led a violent land-grabbing action that has left hundreds of families devastated.

The defendant, who faces charges related to the illegal demolition and appropriation of land, was granted bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties; a recognized traditional ruler and a level-16 civil servant owning a property of equal value in Port Harcourt.

Speaking with news men, victims narrate how their lands have been forcefully taken away from them.

A Real Estate Consultant representing 46 affected landowners, A Peters insisted that they get justice for what Colonel has done, his voice trembling while narrating his ordeal.

“If you can look behind me you will see that a lot of people, landlords are here today to fight for justice, I represent about forty six persons I sold for. They demolished all their fence and whatever they have of the site, what we are saying is that let police and the court give us justice.

“This guy need to pay for all he had damaged at the site, if you go there you will never believe yourself, you must shed tears. Even as I’m talking to you if you look at my eyes you can see some tears on my eyes cause of what this guy has done to some people.
I have just fenced seven plots for a brother now, I have not called nor told him that the land is grounded”.

Peters insists the judgment Colonel Eke relies on is for a different community called Rumuhaolu not Rumuosi where the contested lands lie.

“A Google map will tell you we are not even close”.

A mother and landowner, Chika Sunny, said she purchased her land over a decade ago from a respected member of Rumuosi community. Now, the land she hoped would secure her children’s future has been taken, and she has nowhere to turn.

“That’s the only thing I have for my children, he came with a fake judgment and took my land. I’m helpless. He claims powerful people are backing him. Is that what justice looks like, please, Rivers State government, the sole administrator we are begging you. This is all I have, help us”.

A widow, Scholar Anunam said she inherited her two plots of land from her late husband.

“It was all we had, Colonel Ogwumeru came with caterpillars, destroyed everything. I am a widow, I have no husband. People borrowed money for these lands. What do we do now”.

Some residents say he has a history of land disputes and has been declared wanted in the past for similar cases.

“He’s a known thief, everyone knows him, he has been to prison multiple times for this. How is he still walking free? How is he still doing this with police protection” said said a landlord at Victory Estate, Mike Lubewidobie.

Lubewidobie alleged that Eke uses multiple aliases, “A.k.A Felix, Chief Edo, Mike Akpolati and has been used as a “consultant” by others looking to forcibly take land”.

“If the police want us to take the law into our hands, we will. But we are peaceful people. We want justice.”

Chairman of Ikenkworo communities in Rumuosi, Ernest Ihunda gave a damning details of how the land grabbing issue started.

According to him, the Rivers State Government acquired land from his family as far back as 2005 for official use. Since then, various legal battles over boundaries have ensued, but never with Colonel Eke.

“We never received any court summons from him, he used a judgment concerning a completely different area, SARS Road to enter our land at Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road. He destroyed fences, stole building materials, and looted hospital equipment. People are now fleeing. There’s no safety.”

He cited multiple court cases still pending, including suit numbers PSC/5541/2009 and CCC/33/2017, none of which give Eke legal right to the lands in question.

“There is a cartel behind this,” Ihunda added.

The court proceedings are only just beginning, but for the people of Rumuosi, the scars are already deep.