By Praise Chinecherem
Barely three weeks after the second crackdown on Onitsha Sports Club, Anambra State, during which some portions of the perimeter fence were demolished, television set and other items were allegedly lost, another demolition has rocked the club bringing it to third time valuables worth millions of naira were damaged.
AnambraDaily gathered that the lingering ownership dispute over the club following alleged expiration of the original lease agreement, took another dramatic twist over the weekend when some unidentified persons, numbering about 30, invaded the property, knocking down more portions of the perimeter fence, the major entrance gate, bill board light, among others.
The controversial attack on the property, the third of its kind, had further stripped the club house of its protection, despite the matter pending in court.
Recall that the Ekwerekwu family of Okposieke village Onitsha and the Onitsha Sports Club have been at loggerhead over ownership of the land since alledged expiration of the lease of the land which resulted in the first demolition of structures by invaders reportedly led by Barr. Harold Ekwerekwu.
Ekwerekwu, who when contacted admitted responsibility, however, argued that they were merely reclaiming their land from the sports club after 99 years of original lease agreement and expiration of the lease deal.
Some of the workers at the club who identified themselves as Dan Oloshe, Okey Randof and Chidera Ugwuoke told newsmen that in the latest attack on the property was coordinated by Barr Ekwerekwu.
Conducting newsmen round the premises during the celebration of his 59th birthday in the club, President of the Club, Chief Daniel Okafor corroborated the claim of Oloshe, Randof and Ugwuoke in identifying the invaders as members of Ekwerekwu family of Onitsha led by Harold.
According to the President, the invaders had between 12 Midnight and 1 AM and armed with dangerous weapons, stormed the premises and unleashed the mayhem.
Also commenting on the development, a member of Board of Trustees, BoT of the Club and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Best Aluminium Manufacturing Company Limited, Chief Pius Nweke and Vice President of the Club, Chief Ogoonna Ofoegbu, expressed concern that Harold, a lawyer who is expected to know the implications of flouting court order, led such a band of brigandage and perpetrated the act.
Chief Chidolue Obinna, who was a former captain of the club,and Hon. Ugochukwu Okafor who is elder brother to the Club president, expressed optimism that the perpetrators of the dastardly act will not escape justice.
According to them, “We are fully aware of a subsisting court order and the pendency of the matter in court and yet they decided to carry out the wreckage for the third time.”.
Reacting swiftly when contacted on phone, Harold Ekwerekwu said he was unaware of the latest invasion, saying he was aware that the matter between Ekwerekwu family and BoT members of the Club are in court over the landed property.
Mr. Ekwerekwu, however stated that the invaders could be those who the club management is owing.
