Asaba, Delta State — The legal counsel to Chief Jerry Nkeweshe, the Owelle of Onicha-Olona, has demanded the immediate retraction of a police statement linking her client to the killing of three youths in Okwe community, near Asaba.
The Delta State Police Command had earlier issued a press release accusing Chief Nkeweshe of leading armed men—some allegedly dressed in military camouflage—to a disputed parcel of land in Okwe, where three youths were shot dead on November 24, 2025.
But addressing journalists in Asaba, Chief Nkeweshe’s lawyer, Barr. Kelechi Nnadi, rejected the police account and described the allegation as false, defamatory, and dangerous.
“My Client Was Not in Asaba” — Lawyer Refutes Police Claims
Barr. Nnadi insisted that her client was nowhere near Okwe or Asaba on the day of the incident.
According to her, Chief Nkeweshe spent the day in Umunede, where he had gone to seek medical attention in the company of witnesses whose names she said she was authorized to disclose.
“Unfortunately, my client was not near Asaba or Okwe or anywhere around this area throughout yesterday,” she said.
“He left to attend to his health at Umunede and was there with certain persons. He returned later in the evening and came straight to my office.”
She also questioned the police narrative that Chief Nkeweshe led armed men to recover land that, according to her, he does not own.
“How come he led armed men to recover a piece of land in Okwe when he is not the owner of the said land?” she asked.
Barr. Nnadi further alleged that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, may have personally authorized the deployment of police officers to Okwe in relation to the disputed land.
“It was Olufemi Abaniwonda who authorized some policemen to go to Okwe to execute the recovery of land,” she claimed.
“He held meetings with the people in his office on the 19th of November. Let him deny it.”
She also questioned reports that some attackers wore military camouflage, suggesting that the police needed to answer critical questions.
“So does it mean he asked them to dress in military camouflage to go and kill people?
So the Commissioner of Police is complicit in the death of the youths that died at Okwe. Let him deny it. We have intelligence reports.”
Previous Allegations Cited as Part of “Pattern”
The lawyer accused the Commissioner of Police of previously targeting her client.
She alleged that in an earlier incident, the CP conspired with the Chairman of Aniocha North LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Chinye Bazim, to frame a cyber-terrorism allegation against Chief Nkeweshe.
“The truth came to light that there was no such publication by my client. This is not the second time the Commissioner of Police is doing this. I will not allow this to slide.”
Barr. Nnadi said her legal team would take action against both the Commissioner of Police and the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, if the police do not retract their publication within 14 days.
“We are going to take action against the Commissioner of Police for defamation and for framing him up. We will also sue Bright Edafe, apart from taking other actions before the Police Service Commission.”
She also expressed fears that the police statement could endanger her client.
“You go to the press and put a man’s life in harm’s way. The family of those who died may target him, accusing him of what he did not do.”
The lawyer appealed to reporters to independently verify ownership of the disputed land and to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“We are asking the press to balance their reports. Who owns the land? Their names are not hidden from the Commissioner. He met with both sides on the 19th.”
She added that the matter is already in court.
In the police press release issued by SP Bright Edafe, the Command announced a manhunt for Chief Nkeweshe and his alleged armed gang.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations showed that Chief Nkeweshe allegedly led vigilantes and suspected cult members to forcefully take over the land, leading to a confrontation that resulted in the fatal shootings of three youths.
The police said the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed tactical teams and investigators to arrest all suspects involved, describing the attack as “reckless, unprovoked, and brazen.”
The CP urged residents of Asaba, Onicha-Olona, and neighbouring communities to assist with credible information as normalcy has supposedly been restored to the area.
Members of the public were encouraged to report any sightings through the emergency line provided.
As of the time of filing this report, the Delta State Police Command had not issued any updated response to the allegations raised by Chief Nkeweshe’s lawyer.
Meanwhile, tension remains high in Okwe as residents call for a transparent investigation and for all those responsible for the killings to be brought to justice.
