Demolition: Call land speculator to order – Onitsha bizman urges IG, Soludo

By Praise Chinecherem

An Onitsha businessman, Chief Ernest Offia has cried to Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbatokun and Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State to prevail on alleged land speculator, Mr. Chimezie Onwuegbusi, who allegedly defied series of court orders to demolish a church situated in his property at Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Counsel to Offia, Barr Humphrey Udechukwu, told newsmen in Onitsha that despite court orders, Onwuegbusi said to be a notorious land grabber last Monday 3, 2023 moved into the property with his thugs and pulled down the church.

Udechukwu said they invited Police during the incident but they could not intervene as he threatened them not to come near the place with his GSM phone.

He said apart from pulling down the church, Onwuegbusi destroyed the chairs and other items in the church.

He revealed that Onwuegbusi had boasted that the Police and other security operatives in the State were in his pocket, while certain Police officers at the State Police Force Headquarters Awka and Divisions were working for him.

He said, “When he used Police to chase the tenants and Chief Offia, they went to an Onitsha High Court to file fundamental right suit which led to an order by Justice Ugochukwu Oguchi restraining Onwuegbusi “whether by himself, servants, agents or privies howsoever called from further arresting, threatening to arrest or inviting the applicant or interfering in his rights to life, freedom of movement and right to own immovable property pending the determination of the substantive suit/application” among other orders.

“A member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the church, Holy Rosary Deliverance Ministry Elder John Ebenyi, also went to Court and obtained another injunction from Awka High Court issued by the Chief Judge of the State Justice O.M. Anyachebelu.

“In the order Onwuegbusi was restrained “by himself, servants, agents, assistants and delegates from taking further steps in connection with this matter and specifically from further locking up of the church building/ premises or interfering with the church services/activities therein or in any manner howsoever pending the hearing /determination of the application”

“Unfortunately, Onwuegbusi observed these injunctions in breach, went ahead to pull down the church and damaged the chairs and other items.”

While calling on the IGP to direct Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest him, the legal practitioner also urged Soludo to direct relevant agencies to curtail Onwuegbusi’s excesses.

He warned of the dire consequences of defying an order of Court of competent jurisdiction, saying that if allowed to fester could breed anarchy and bloodshed.

Efforts to get Onwuegbusi reactions were futile as his phone number rang engaged several times it was called.