A human rights group, Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture, (INAHURAT), has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure justice in an alleged land grabbing case.
The case, involving Plot 4022 at Guzape District and Plots 1861, 1862, 1863 at Katampe District of the Federal Capital Territory, is between the claimant, Hajia Coleen Mero, and Rebecca Omokamo.
Mero, a 79-year-old grandmother, said she is the rightful owner of the plots, which she accused Omokamo of illegally acquiring and occupying. In a bid to recover the plots, Mero petitioned the police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and other relevant agencies.
Following investigations, the police filed charges against Rebecca in January 2025. The case, with charge No. CR/007/2025, is before an FCT High Court in Apo.
However, the rights group has accused the IGP of providing security, in the form of police escorts, for the suspect, despite filing a case against her in court.
The group alleged that the said police protection has frustrated the case, as the security details prevented operatives of the EFCC from aking necessary action on the matter.
Barrister Maxwell Opara, who made the accusation while addressing journalists, urged President Bola Tinubu to call the IGP to order.
“We call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to urgently intervene and investigate the IGP’s unprofessional conduct on this matter. It is both shameful and unacceptable that a suspect facing serious criminal charges by the Police still enjoys such close proximity to the Nigerian IGP and continues to enjoy police protection, using the privilege to obstruct lawful actions of EFCC operatives,” Opara, a human rights lawyer said while speaking on behalf of INAHURAT.
Further accusing the police chief of frustrating the case and obstructing justice, Opara faulted the manner in which the IGP is handling the prosecution of the case filed against Omokamo.
He alleged that the charge was filed by the IGP to divert attention from efforts being made to shield the suspect.
The lawyer said, “You may recall that INAHURAT previously raised alarm over how the IGP was allegedly using his office to shield Rebecca from arrest and investigation. We then urged the IGP to refrain from interfering with the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and to allow due process to take its course.
“Specifically, on December 30, 2024, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi (Force spokesman) issued a public statement on behalf of the IGP, denying any interference or involvement with Rebecca, dismissing our claims as “mischief” and stating that the IGP had “no business dealing with land or civil matters”.
“However, at our response press briefing on January 8, 2025, we presented incontrovertible evidence demonstrating how the IGP had actively frustrated the investigation of Rebecca from the moment the petition was submitted to his office – a petition he deliberately refused to investigate.
“Shortly after that briefing, and in a clear attempt to cover up their complicity, the IGP hurriedly filed criminal charges against Rebecca on January 23, 2025. This action was not taken in the interest of justice, but rather to divert attention from their initial efforts to frustrate a case they had initially insisted was civil, not criminal. The police
secretly arraigned her in an Apo court via Charge No. CR/007/2025 without informing the fraud victims and granted her bail immediately, without any objection.
“It is critical to note that the IGP, despite being compelled to charge Rebecca to court for fraud over these properties, has continued to provide her with Police Guards in the same property (Plot 4022, Guzape District). She has illegally occupied this property since August 2024 with the full protection of armed policemen, allegedly on the orders of the IGP without a single title or building approval.”
Opara further alleged that on March 6, 2025, operatives of the police and the EFCC almost had a confrontation at Plot 4022 Guzape District – “the very property the IGP supposedly charged her to court for, yet continues to protect with armed policemen, despite several Forfeiture Orders issued by different High Courts”.
“When EFCC operatives arrived to effect her arrest for jumping bail, they were prevented from carrying out their lawful operation by the several fully armed police officers guarding the suspect,” he said.
According to Opara, an EFCC investigation in the case uncovered evidence of document forgery and fraud, including falsification of Power of Attorneys, AGIS titles, signatures and various CAC company documents.
However, despite the alleged obstruction of justice, Opara announced that a breakthrough has been recorded in the case.
According to him, Omokamo has been charged to court via – “Charge No: CR/76/2025 – a 17-count charge including forgery, criminal trespass, cheating, and violations under the Advance Fee Fraud Act at the Federal High Court.
“Charge No: CR/77/2025 – a separate case before the Federal High Court. A third charge at the FCT High Court – with 5-counts including forgery, obtaining by false pretence and Advance Fee Fraud offences is awaiting assignment.”
He added, “This development is a testament to the resilience of Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Despite attempts at intimidation and interference by the IGP, the EFCC has remained committed to ensuring that justice is served. We commend the unrelenting team at the EFCC that has handled this matter with integrity and dedication.
“We also extend our appreciation to the Attorney General of the Federation for refusing to yield to unreasonable pressure and for upholding the rule of law, thereby preserving the sanctity of justice in this matter.
“However, we call on the EFCC Chairman to distance himself from any semblance of injustice by immediately proceeding with the enforcement of the court-sanctioned forfeiture orders issued against the aforementioned properties on March 4, 2025. These properties have been illegally occupied by these suspects with the aid of the /police but rightfully belong to 79-year-old Hajia Collen Mero Yesufu. We must remind the EFCC chair that any further attempts to frustrate or delay this process would be a betrayal of justice, and Nigerians are now watching the EFCC closely.”
He urged the National Assembly and relevant oversight bodies to scrutinise the conduct of the IGP in the matter and ensure that all officers who have abused their powers are held accountable.
