Two young men were on Monday, April 13, arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Warri, Delta State, over alleged unlawful demand for payment of development fee popularly known as “deve” from a property developer, Pastor Fred Aghedo.

The defendants, Mr. Irikefe Ajueyitsi and Mr. Abubakar Nasiru, were brought before Chief Magistrate E. M. Sowho at Magistrate Court One, Warri, on a two-count charge bordering on illegal demand and breach of peace.

Prosecuting Counsel from the Uvwie Area Command of the Nigerian Police Force, ASP Dicko Wakama, told the court that the accused persons, alongside others still at large, committed the offence on March 12, 2026, at 3rd Marine Quarter Road, Warri.

He alleged that the defendants demanded “deve” from Pastor Aghedo in relation to construction activities on his property.

According to the prosecution, the act contravenes Section 13(1) of the Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Law, 2018, and is punishable under Section 13(2) of the same law.

ASP Wakama further informed the court that the accused persons also engaged in conduct likely to cause a breach of peace by creating nuisance on the said property. The offence, he noted, is punishable under Section 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap C21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Sowho granted bail to the accused persons and adjourned the case to May 20, 2026, for hearing.

Narrating his ordeal, Pastor Aghedo told the court that the suspects and others allegedly stopped him and a tractor he had hired for land development at the site, insisting that work could not proceed unless he paid the demanded “deve.”

He said the incident prompted him to file a petition with the police.

The arraignment comes amid a renewed crackdown on illegal levies in Delta State, following the State Government’s directive that anyone caught demanding “deve” from property developers should be arrested and prosecuted.

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