By Christopher Oji
Some property owners at Victoria Creek Gardens (VCG) Estate in Rivers State have raised concerns over what they describe as the slow pace of police investigations into a disputed property, alleging that a suspect in the matter is continuing to advertise and sell portions of the land despite an ongoing probe.
The residents have called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene, halt further sales of the disputed property and direct investigators to expedite action on the case.
The development has heightened fears among affected property owners and residents, who accuse law enforcement agencies of moving too slowly while the disputed land is allegedly being taken over, developed and sold to unsuspecting members of the public.
It was gathered that the complainants have intensified efforts to secure intervention from the IGP Monitoring Unit in Abuja over what they described as delays and possible attempts to frustrate the investigation.
One of the complainants disclosed that he spent the past week in Abuja holding meetings with senior officials of the IGP Monitoring Unit, including its deputy head, over the handling of the matter.
According to the source, police authorities reportedly promised to withdraw the case file from the current Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and the team leader handling the matter and reassign it for further investigation.
However, the complainant alleged that the process has stalled because the team leader currently in possession of the case file has become unreachable.
“I have been to the office of the deputy team leader twice. She called the team leader who has the file, but his phones have been switched off. We are literally waiting for him to answer his phone so the file can be retrieved and reassigned,” the source said.
The complainant lamented that while affected property owners continue to seek police intervention, activities on the disputed property have allegedly intensified.
“Nothing else has happened. While I continue to call on the police to act, the man is busy taking over, building on and selling the land piece by piece,” he added.
The controversy stems from allegations of forceful takeover of developed property, demolition of structures, intimidation of occupants and alleged land racketeering involving parcels of land surrounding Victoria Creek Gardens, located along the New Port Harcourt Airport Road axis in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The case had earlier attracted public attention following reports that Michael Amadi-Orwu was detained by police authorities over allegations bordering on the demolition of properties reportedly worth more than N1 billion. He was later granted bail pending the conclusion of investigations.
Despite the ongoing investigation, promotional materials linked to Victoria Creek Gardens have continued to circulate on social media, allegedly inviting members of the public to purchase plots within the estate.
In one of the recent promotional campaigns sighted online, the Instagram handle, victoriacreekgardens, announced the estate’s participation at the Obakor Ikwerre International Convention in Houston, Texas, where investment opportunities and luxury real estate projects connected to the estate were showcased.
Part of the post read: “Victoria Creek Gardens is proud to announce our presence at the Obakor Ikwerre International Convention in Houston, Texas … committed to creating premium communities, lasting value and investment opportunities back home in Nigeria.”
The advertisers.ng has generated outrage among some alleged original landowners and occupants, who insist that the land remains the subject of police investigations and ownership disputes.
One of the affected property owners, identified simply as Hon. Dr. Chris, alleged that Amadi-Orwu masterminded the destruction and takeover of his property measuring more than 10,000 square metres within the area.
According to him, structures including a bungalow, perimeter fence, gatehouse and security installations were demolished before the land was cleared for resale.
Hon. Dr. Chris claimed the dispute began around 2021 when he allegedly came under pressure to sell the property.
He alleged that the suspect repeatedly threatened him with consequences if he refused to relinquish ownership and that attempts to rebuild damaged structures over the years were met with fresh demolitions.
The complainant said he initially believed the destruction of some structures was caused by environmental factors before later discovering what he described as deliberate human interference.
The matter reportedly escalated in 2025 when the remaining structures on the property were allegedly dismantled, prompting formal petitions to security agencies.
According to the complainants, the case was initially reported to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, whose intervention temporarily halted activities on the property.
However, they alleged that the suspect repeatedly returned to the site after each intervention and continued activities on the disputed land.
The complainants further alleged that Amadi-Orwu acted with a sense of impunity, claiming he boasted of having powerful connections within security agencies and the judiciary in Rivers State.
According to them, the suspect allegedly claimed to have judges “on his payroll” and warned occupants to vacate the land or face dire consequences.
They also alleged that he claimed to enjoy police protection and maintained links with armed groups and local thugs operating around the area. They said such assertions created fear among residents and discouraged some victims from pursuing legal action.
Meanwhile, sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that police authorities may be taking fresh steps to revive the case.
The sources revealed that Amadi-Orwu was recently re-arrested and detained as investigators intensified efforts to conclude their probe and determine whether criminal charges would be filed. He was later released on bail, while investigations continue.
The alleged offences under investigation include threats to life, criminal trespass, malicious damage, vandalism, demolition of buildings, removal of government survey beacons, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, forgery of land documents and alleged involvement in organised land racketeering.
Affected property owners have urged members of the public and prospective investors to exercise caution and refrain from purchasing plots within the disputed Victoria Creek Gardens property until investigations are concluded.
According to them, the land remains subject to ownership disputes and multiple legal claims, warning that unsuspecting buyers could become entangled in prolonged litigation and suffer financial losses.
The complainants also alleged that some occupants of the estate were intimidated and pressured into accepting inadequate compensation after being forcefully evicted from portions of the land.
They dismissed claims allegedly made by the suspect that influential government interests were behind the takeover of the property, describing such assertions as tactics aimed at intimidating genuine landowners into surrendering their properties.
The dispute has once again drawn attention to the growing challenge of land grabbing, forced evictions and violent property disputes in rapidly developing areas of Rivers State, particularly along the Airport Road corridor, where rising real estate values have intensified ownership conflicts.
As of the time of filing this report, police authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the latest developments.
Observers say the outcome of the investigation will serve as a critical test of law enforcement’s commitment to combating organised land racketeering, protecting property rights and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
Efforts to obtain comments from Michael Amadi-Orwu regarding the allegations were unsuccessful as of press time.
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