Man arraigned for encroaching on NIWA land in Anambra
The Anambra State Police Command has arraigned a 54-year-old man, Orji Kelechukwu, for alleged encroachment into a parcel of land belonging to the National Inland Waterways Authority in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Orji is also being prosecuted for allegedly engaging in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by unlawfully entering into the said NIWA land.
He was arraigned in a two-count with charge No: 101/2025 at the Magistrate Court, Onitsha.
The charge sheet obtained by our correspondent on Monday read, “The Commissioner of Police versus Orji Kelechukwu, male, aged 54 years.
“That you Orji Kelechukwu, male between the month of March 2024 to April 3, 2025 at Niger Street, Ose Waterfront, Onitsha in Onitsha Magistrate District, did willfully or negligently and without the consent of National Inland Waterways Authority, used the land along the Waterfront measured about 100 meters perpendicular, from the edge of both banks and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 23 (1) (a) (4) of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Act Cap N47 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2024.
“That you, Orji Kelechukwu on the same date and place in the aforementioned Magistral District, did in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace or reasonable apprehension of a breach of peace, by entering into the land which is in actual and peaceable possession of National Inland Waterways Authority, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 115 of Criminal Code Cap 36 Volume II Revised Law of Anambra State of Nigeria 1991 as amended.”
When the matter came up at the court, presided over by His Worship C.B Okoyeb, on Friday, Orji pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.
The case was adjourned to June 4, 2025, for further hearing.
It will be recalled that Orji was arrested on Thursday during a joint operation by Navy officials from the Naval Outpost in Onitsha and policemen from the NIWA Police Post at Bridgehead, Onitsha.
The arrest took place at a motor park established by the Onitsha South Local Government.
The motor park is located on a piece of land where the council had earlier demolished what it described as illegal structures.
That land, according to authorities, falls within the Right of Way belonging to the National Inland Waterways Authority.
