Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Six indigenes of Avu autonomous community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, have approached a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to bar the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from invading and meddling in the ensuing land dispute between them and Engr. Christian Onyekachi, and the Imo State Housing Corporation, among others.
In a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by their counsel, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), Attorney General Emeritus and former Commissioner for Justice, Imo State, the applicants said they were subjected to alleged acts of brutality, unlawful arrest and detention by police officers from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, who were mobilised by Engr. Christian Onyekachi.
The six applicants are Elder Godwin Oparamba; Elder Chijioke Maduike; Sir Reginald Mbajunwa; Engr. Franklin Mbajunwa; Mr. Ikechukwu Bernard Uba; Mr. Davison Uba and Ifeanyi Uba.
They specifically stated how on January 13, 2026, officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force, accompanied by Engr. Onyekachi unlawfully invaded the “Mgbabo Uzji” land in Umuocha village in Avu autonomous community, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, by clearing farm lands and demolishing private buildings without any lawful revocation or acquisition notice from the government of Imo State.
The six elders further narrated how they were manhandled, detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Owerri, Imo State, before they were bundled overnight like slaves to the Nigerian Police Headquarters in Abuja in the very early hours of February 4, 2026.
Listed as 1st to 5th respondents in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/ 701/2026, are the Inspector General of Police; DSP Charles Peace; Engr. Christian Mike Onyekachi; Vertex Estate Nigeria Limited and Imo State Housing Corporation.
Meanwhile, in a separate letter to the Inspector General of Police, counsel to the applicant, Ume drew his attention to the pendency of the suit before the FCT High Court and urged him not to take further action on the matter.
The applicants who are now claiming the sum of N20 billion as damages for psychological truama, medical bills, arising from the dehumanized conditions they were subjected to by the respondents, are further seeking a restraining order against the Inspector General of Police and DSP Charles Peace, from further inviting them for questioning on a civil issue relating to them and the 3rd to 5th respondents.
