The Cross River State Government has cautioned against the operation of an alleged private task force reportedly constituted to enforce a court order concerning the Etung Cocoa Estates, insisting that the enforcement of judicial orders must strictly follow established legal procedures.
In a public notice issued on Friday, March 13, 2027, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ededem Charles Ani, said the government’s attention had been drawn to a publication by National Compass Newspaper on March 11, 2026, which reported that a task force had been set up by Mba Ukweni, principal of Mba Ukweni & Associates, to enforce an interlocutory injunction granted by the High Court of Cross River State in relation to the cocoa estates in Etung Local Government Area.
Ani explained that under the Sheriffs and Civil Process Law of Cross River State, 2004, as well as the Judgment Enforcement Rules, only officials acting under the authority of the court, such as sheriffs and court bailiffs, are legally empowered to enforce court orders.
According to the Attorney General, neither a litigant nor legal counsel has the authority to enforce a court order independently or constitute an ad-hoc body for that purpose, describing such action as “self-help,” which Nigerian courts have consistently condemned as unlawful and contrary to the rule of law.
He further noted that where a party believes a court order has been violated, the proper legal step is to initiate contempt proceedings before the court that issued the order, including the service of statutory notices known as Form 48 and Form 49 under the Judgment Enforcement Rules.
Ani also raised concerns about reports that the alleged task force had been mandated to place farms under surveillance and identify offenders, stressing that such responsibilities fall within the statutory duties of recognized security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He warned that no private individual or law firm has the authority to establish parallel security structures, adding that such actions could provoke confrontation and threaten public peace within the cocoa estates.
The Attorney General recalled that the area had previously witnessed unrest in which lives were lost, stressing that the state government would not tolerate any action capable of reigniting tension in the communities.
He therefore directed security agencies to prevent the operation of any unauthorized task force within the estates, warning that anyone found acting under such a body would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Ani also stated that the Senior Advocate would be held personally accountable for any breach of the peace arising from the activities of the purported task force.
The government urged all parties involved in disputes over the Etung Cocoa Estates to pursue their claims strictly through lawful judicial channels currently before the High Court, reiterating its commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding peace in affected communities.
Kingsley Agim
