Police Charge 54-Year-Old Man With Encroachment On Federal Land

Police Charge 54-Year-Old Man With Encroachment On Federal Land

The Anambra State Police Command has brought charges against Mr. Orji Kelechukwu, a 54-year-old man, for allegedly encroaching on land owned by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Kelechukwu is also facing prosecution for allegedly engaging in conduct that could disturb the peace by unlawfully entering the NIWA property…READ MORE…

In the two-count charge (No: 101/2025) titled Commissioner of Police versus Orji Kelechukwu, it is alleged that between March 2024 and April 3, 2025, at Niger Street Ose Waterfront, Onitsha, Kelechukwu willfully and without the consent of NIWA used land along the waterfront that measures approximately 100 meters from the edge of both banks, thus violating Section 23 (1)(a)(4) of the National Inland Waterways Authority Act, Cap N47, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024.

The second count alleges that Kelechukwu, during the same period and at the same location, entered the land that is under the actual and peaceful possession of NIWA, which could lead to a breach of peace, constituting an offense punishable under Section 115 of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Volume II of the Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991, as amended.

When the case was presented in court before His Worship C.B. Okoyeb, Kelechukwu pleaded not guilty and was subsequently granted bail. The hearing has been adjourned to June 4, 2025.

This follows an operation in which a team from the Navy and the NIWA Police Post apprehended Kelechukwu at a motor park established on the disputed land, which the Onitsha South Local Government had previously cleared of what it deemed illegal structures.

Additionally, some affected NIWA clients, including Lake Petroleum Limited, have taken their grievances to the Federal High Court in Awka in an effort to contest the demolition and the subsequent use of the land as a motor park and trading area by the local government.

Addressing the media after Kelechukwu’s arrest, NIWA Area Manager in Onitsha, Mr. Nicholas Suleiman, expressed concern that NIWA has incurred losses exceeding N160 million due to the alleged illegal demolition of homes and businesses on its Right of Way, along with the conversion of the land into a motor park where the local government collects fees through Kelechukwu.

Suleiman further stated that efforts by NIWA to engage with the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman, Mr. Emeka Orji, regarding these issues have been unsuccessful, as the council head rebuffed their attempts to discuss the actions of his officials related to the land.