Architect Ameh E. Joseph has demanded an immediate probe into the alleged theft and vandalism of his personal property under the custody of the Oshimili South Area Customary Court 3, Delta State.
Joseph, a defendant in an ongoing lawsuit, has accused court staff, including the registrar and bailiffs, of stealing and destroying his valuables following a court-ordered execution.
In a petition dated March 31, 2025, addressed to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Joseph detailed how his property was seized in 2022 under questionable circumstances in Suit No. OSAAC3/10/22: Uche Okpara Osimiri v. Arc. Ameh E. Joseph.
He claims the suit was secretly filed while another related case (ADCC/216/22) involving the same parties was still pending, a move he describes as “a complete abuse of court processes and fraud.”
Joseph stated that after the court execution, he was not provided with an inventory of the seized items for over three months, which delayed his efforts to appeal the case. When he eventually obtained a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the case file, he discovered multiple discrepancies and promptly alerted the court.
Upon the release of his property on March 4, 2025, Joseph reported that several items listed in the court’s inventory were missing, while others—including a freezer, Ecolac deep bags (allegedly cut open), and electronic gadgets with severed cords—were vandalised. He alleges that the bailiff and court registrar, as custodians of the keys, were complicit in the theft.
Joseph told Newsmen that among the missing items are his professional working tools, his ARCON seal, academic certificates (BSc, MSc), and ARCON registration documents—all critical to his career as an architect.
He described the incident as “the most notorious theft of the century by a Nigerian court” and called on the police to launch a full investigation and prosecute those responsible.
He said, “I was in Lagos when execution was levied on my property. I sent my cousin, Mr. Anukwu Emmanuel, to represent me, and I called the bailiff to inform him that my cousin had my authority to obtain the inventory. It was not given to him.
“I also sent my lawyer, but the inventory was still not released. I had to return to Asaba from Lagos on August 8, 2022, to obtain the inventory myself. The bailiff informed me that he was typing it and would release it afterwards.
“This inventory should have been in its original handwritten form, signed by those present at the execution, but that was never the case.
“On August 10, I returned to court and was given the same excuses. Around the court premises, I overheard a man complaining that his property was stolen by the court. He said he had reported it to the headquarters but was told that the court did not have custody of the items and could not be held responsible.
“At that point, I began documenting my interactions with the registrar and bailiff to protect myself in case the same thing happened to me.
“I continued to demand the inventory weekly through phone calls but never received it. Eventually, I wrote a complaint to the Delta State Judicial Service Commission, expressing concern about the fraudulent and corrupt process that led to the execution and my fear that the court’s real intent was to cart away people’s property and sell them.
“I never imagined that it would go beyond mere sales to outright robbery of my property and my life by officials of the Oshimili South Area Customary Court 3—the Chairman, Igboh Winnie Esq., the registrar, and the bailiff.
“I even wrote to the President of the Customary Court of Delta State, the Chief Judge, and the Chief Justice of the Federation. Only the latter responded, stating the matter was outside her jurisdiction.”
“I have since reported the case to the police headquarters, seeking a thorough investigation, since the court has refused to respond to me,” he added.
However, the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) also wrote to the Chief Registrar of the court in a letter dated March 11, 2025, demanding answers to what it described as a “mystery” surrounding the whistleblower’s missing and damaged property.
AFRICMIL, which works with the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) to promote the federal government’s whistleblowing policy, expressed deep concern over the injustice suffered by Joseph.
According to the organisation, court bailiffs failed for months to provide a proper inventory of the seized property. When an incomplete list was eventually produced, numerous valuable items were found to be missing. AFRICMIL noted that some listed items had also been vandalised or completely disappeared while under court custody.
In its letter, AFRICMIL demanded an official explanation within seven days, stating: “How did some of these valuable items disappear in your custody?” The organisation emphasised that its media partners are keen to thoroughly investigate and report on the case.
Chido Onumah, AFRICMIL’s Coordinator, signed the letter and reiterated the group’s commitment to justice and the protection of whistleblowers in Nigeria.
The letter read in part: “We have followed with keen interest the continuing injustices and hardship meted out to Architect Ameh E. Joseph, a whistleblower at the Federal Technical College, Asaba, Delta State, through suit No. OSAAC3/10/22.
“We are also aware that while an open suit (ADCC/216/22) was ongoing, another suit was secretly and fraudulently filed and used to obtain a secret judgment, executed on August 21, 2022, while Arc. Joseph was away in Lagos attending to his son’s health.
“Upon execution, his property was taken to the court. For several months, the court bailiff could not produce an inventory. When it was eventually provided, several items were already missing.
“Our concern now is that items listed in the incomplete inventory have been further vandalized or have completely vanished without explanation. For the record, we attach a preliminary list of missing items identified by Arc. Joseph.”
AFRICMIL stressed the need for full transparency, accountability, and immediate action to prevent what it described as a troubling precedent for treating whistleblowers and abusing judicial authority.
The court’s former registrar, Christian Ihrieroma, distanced himself from the allegations of vandalism and missing property at the court facility. He told Newsmen that the claims surfaced long after his departure and should be addressed by the current administration.
The official, who was posted out of the location in 2022, stated that before his exit, there were no reports or allegations of vandalism or missing items.
He said, “I was posted out of that place in 2022. Before my posting, there was no allegation of vandalism or missing property.
“The same property they brought to court was what I handed over to the incumbent Registrar. So, I’m surprised that they are now calling me, talking about vandalised or missing properties.
“The incumbent Registrar should be the one to provide the proper account of the situation now.
“Recently, when I asked the Registrar what actually happened, he told me in March this year that the place had been vandalised and some items were removed.
“I really think he should be the one to respond to this issue.”
Meanwhile, the current registrar of the court, Anyanka Felix Azuka, told Newsmen that he could not speak on the matter since it is already before the court.
“It’s a litigation matter. Legal proceedings are underway, and the case will be determined through the judicial process,” he said.
