An Enugu-based businessman, Ihekwoaba Uzoho, has sought the state’s intervention over an alleged threat by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) to demolish his house.
Uzoho lamented that a demolition notice was issued by ECTDA on his family home at No. 6 Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu.
Speaking amid tears, yesterday, Uzoho said: “I bought this place in 2007. It has genuine documents; the certificate of occupancy (CofO), building plan, and all necessary documents.
“However, sometime last year, a serving minister came around to assess the land behind my property. They snapped pictures and made videos. After that, they gave money to some people here and told them that they would be taking over the place.
“The next day, Monday, the ECTDA came to mark my building for removal. Initially, one of them told me that my security house would be removed, hence they marked it for removal.
“The next day, I went to their office. They told me to get all my documents, which I provided. Then they told me to go, saying I would hear from them. All this happened in November, last year.
“Since November till now, I haven’t heard anything from them. I approached my lawyer, who advised that we take legal action, since the government refused to say anything to me.
“We went to the court that same month (November). As a matter of fact, we were in court last month, and the matter was adjourned till July 26.
“To my greatest surprise, I was in my house here. Some people told me that the Minister was here with some police officers. But before I could come out to meet him, he had left. One of the workers at the site approached me and told me that my entire house had been marked for demolition.”
Reacting, the executive chairman of ECTDA, Uche Anya, advised the businessman to come to his office with all relevant documents relating to the property.
On the claim that the government was intending to reallocate the land to a serving Minister, Anya said: “I don’t know who he is. I’ve never met him before. So, there’s nothing like that, please.”
Uzoho narrated further: “Since then, I have been wondering about the offence I committed that would warrant my house, where I live with my family, to be marked for demolition by the government without any explanation. They even told me that my house would go down any moment.”
Uzoho added: “That’s why I am speaking out through the media. Please, Governor Peter Mbah, you should not allow his government to treat me like this.”
He urged the minister to “remember that nothing is permanent in life,” stressing: “I bought this place before he became the governor, and now a minister. I’m pleading with him to leave us alone.”
