JUST IN: Bayelsa Police Commissioner Sentenced to Prison Over Court Order Violation

A Bayelsa State High Court in Yenagoa has sentenced the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, to prison for failing to comply with a court order. The ruling follows a long-standing legal dispute over land ownership in Yenizue-gene Community.

The case dates back to November 26, 2016, when the High Court ruled in favor of nine families in Yenizue-gene regarding a parcel of land in Asam, currently used as the operational base for the state-owned security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo. The decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt in June 2021. However, the police failed to enforce the ruling, leading to a legal battle over noncompliance.

The families involved—Fabiri, Ayoko, Aku, Ugbon, Obediah, Sampson, and Boye—initiated committal proceedings against the Commissioner of Police in 2022 for refusing to obey the court’s decision. Despite multiple rulings affirming their ownership, the police did not vacate the land or contest the judgments.

Presiding over the case, Justice R. Ajuwa issued the imprisonment order on December 27, 2024, after hearing the claimants’ plea. Their lead counsel, Ukunbiriowei Saiyou, confirmed the decision and called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure compliance. He warned that failure to do so could result in further legal consequences, including the possible arrest of the police commissioner.

Representatives of the affected families, Chief Honest Boye Wilson and Hon. Manager Fabiri, condemned the continued occupation of their land without consent. Despite their frustration, they assured the public of their commitment to peace, stating they would not resort to protests against the government or law enforcement agencies.