Land Dispute: Delta Court Sentences Two to Three Years' Imprisonment, Gives Option of Fine ~ Truth Reporters

By Kelvin Ohoror

The Chief Magistrate's Court sitting in Oleh, Delta State, has sentenced two residents of Enhwe community in Isoko South Local Government Area, Friday Meeting and Abednego Onoshoko, popularly known as "Abobe", to three years' imprisonment with hard labour, with an option of a fine.

The court ordered each convict to pay a fine of N50,000 to the Delta State Government and jointly pay N480,000 as compensation to the complainant, Mr. Idisi Ewomazino, for the destruction of 1,600 blocks during a land dispute.

The defendants were arraigned in Suit No. MCO/67C/2024 on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, malicious damage, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace by trespassing on land in the peaceable possession of the complainant, and obstruction of justice. The offences are punishable under relevant provisions of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State, Nigeria, 2006.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all four counts and testified in their defence. They also called three witnesses to support their case.

Delivering judgment on February 24, 2026, Her Worship, Mrs. O.M. Omonemu, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the judgment, "From the totality of the evidence before me, the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and is entitled to conviction on Counts I, II, III and IV."

The court consequently found both defendants guilty on all four counts.

Following an appeal for leniency by defence counsel on the grounds that the defendants were first-time offenders, the court ordered them to pay N480,000 as compensation to the complainant for the damaged blocks and a fine of N50,000 each to the Delta State Government. In default of payment, each defendant is to serve three years' imprisonment with hard labour.