In a landmark judgment, the Bayelsa State High Court has sentenced the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, to prison for contempt, marking a dramatic turn in an ongoing land dispute involving nine families from the Yenizue-gene Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area. The court’s ruling, delivered on December 27, 2024, comes after the Commissioner failed to comply with a court order dating back to 2016.
The legal battle revolves around a parcel of land in Asam, which had been used as the operational base for the state-owned security agency, “Operation Doo-Akpo.” The nine families—representing the Fabiri, Ayoko, Aku, Ugbon, Obediah, Sampson, and Boye clans—had fought for rightful possession of the land after it was seized and occupied by the police and the security agency, despite the court ruling in their favor.
The genesis of the case dates back to November 26, 2016, when the Bayelsa State High Court ruled in favor of the nine families, upholding an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal. The appeal in question (suit number CA/PH/170/2018) granted the families ownership rights over the land that had been unlawfully occupied by the police.
Despite the favorable ruling for the families, the police—under the leadership of Commissioner Francis Idu—ignored the court’s directive. The families, represented by their legal counsel, Ukunbiriowei Saiyou, had petitioned the court for contempt proceedings against the Commissioner in 2022, citing his refusal to comply with the earlier ruling.
Failure to Appear in Court
According to Saiyou, the Commissioner not only failed to vacate the land but also ignored multiple court orders and failed to appear at subsequent proceedings. “We were left with no option but to initiate committal proceedings,” Saiyou said during a press briefing. “The police have refused to vacate the land or engage with the court in any meaningful way, forcing the court to take this drastic action.”
Saiyou, who is the lead counsel for the claimants, confirmed that the case took a dramatic turn in December 2024, when the court, under the presiding judge, Honorable Justice R. Ajuwa, sentenced the Commissioner to prison. This decision followed years of delays and legal wrangling, and was a direct consequence of the Commissioner’s persistent refusal to respect the judicial process.
The families had originally sought compensation for the unlawful occupation of their land. After Saipem, an Italian engineering firm, vacated the site, they had hoped to regain possession. Instead, they found their land in use by Operation Doo-Akpo, a state security initiative. This prompted the families to take legal action, and they were victorious in their bid for rightful ownership, which was subsequently reinforced by a ruling from the Court of Appeal in 2021.
The Court’s Decision and Police Defiance
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), who has oversight over police officers in the state, has been urged by legal experts to take immediate action to ensure that the Bayelsa Police Commissioner complies with the court’s ruling. “We are asking for the Commissioner to be held accountable, and for him to abide by the judgment,” Saiyou added.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling, issued on June 10, 2021, was clear: the police were to vacate the land and allow the families to take possession. However, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police continued to ignore the directive, leading to the contempt proceedings that culminated in the Commissioner’s sentencing.
In an effort to clarify their position, the nine families, represented by Chief Honest Boye Wilson and Hon. Manager Fabiri, issued a joint statement expressing their frustration over the unlawful occupation of their property.
“We are not seeking confrontation,” Wilson stated. “We only want what is rightfully ours. We are law-abiding citizens and we are committed to resolving this matter peacefully, without any disruption to the public or the police. However, we will not back down until justice is served.”
The families have remained firm in their resolve to maintain peace, refraining from public protests or demonstrations against the state government or police, despite the prolonged legal battle.
Wider Implications for the Police
The Bayelsa Police Commissioner’s conviction is expected to have broader ramifications, particularly regarding the enforcement of court orders in Nigeria. Legal analysts suggest that this case could serve as a precedent for holding public officials accountable for their disregard of the rule of law.
“This decision sends a strong message that no one is above the law, not even those in positions of power,” said Dr. Titi Adebayo, a professor of law at the University of Lagos. “It is crucial for the integrity of the justice system that every citizen, regardless of their position, is held accountable for their actions. If we want to see progress in this country, it starts with enforcing the rule of law.”
Moreover, the sentencing of the Commissioner highlights the need for greater transparency and respect for judicial rulings, especially in land and property disputes, which have been the subject of numerous controversial cases across Nigeria.
The legal community and human rights organizations have praised the court’s decision as a step in the right direction, emphasizing that it reaffirms the authority of the judiciary in upholding the rights of ordinary citizens, even in the face of defiant and influential figures like the police.
The Way Forward
With the conviction of Commissioner Idu, it remains to be seen how the Bayelsa State Police Command will move forward in complying with the court’s ruling. The Inspector General of Police, while urged to intervene, will likely face pressure to ensure that his officers adhere to judicial orders, particularly in sensitive land disputes that have the potential to cause further tensions in the state.
As the nine families continue their legal struggle, their resolve remains unshaken, and their hope for justice now rests on the ability of the Nigerian legal system to assert itself in cases involving powerful state institutions like the police.
In the coming weeks, legal experts predict that this case will remain under close scrutiny, particularly as it could serve as a defining moment for the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary and the ability to challenge powerful state actors in a court of law.
