By Stella Odueme
The Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse & Torture (INAHURAT) has defended the demolition of structures on Plots 1 and 2, No. 65 Abakaliki Road, GRA, Enugu, insisting that the exercise was lawfully executed in compliance with a subsisting order of the Federal High Court.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday Chief Maxwell C. Opara, Ph.D., MIArb (UK), Chrt.MC, Notary Public, Director of Legal, INAHURAT, who read the organization’s position on behalf of its clients, Chymax Homes Ltd. and another company, dismissed allegations by the Managing Director of New Berries Park, Mr. Ikenna Abanaonu, that the demolition was illegal.
Opara described media reports surrounding the incident as “false, misleading and sensational,” maintaining that the operation followed due legal process and was supervised by relevant authorities.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the demolition exercise was not unlawful. It was carried out strictly in compliance with a subsisting order of the Federal High Court directing the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to recover its properties that are in illegal occupation,” he said.
He explained that the enforcement team comprised Federal High Court bailiffs, Mr. Finian Anyanwu and Mr. Ekene Ogbonna, police officers led by ASP Joseph Onyi from the Enugu State Police Command, and Barrister Sheriff from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, who monitored the exercise.
Responding to claims by Abanaonu that he held a 21-year lease from the Federal Government and that unknown persons accompanied by armed policemen unlawfully demolished the property, Opara insisted that the operation was officially sanctioned and carried out by constituted authorities.
Providing the background to the dispute, Opara stated that the properties were lawfully allocated to INAHURAT’s clients after acquisition from the original allottees, pHBF Global Investment Ltd. and Madugu Commercial & Construction Company Nigeria Ltd.
He said the allocation was made by the Federal Housing Authority through an Offer of Statutory Right of Occupancy dated August 15, 2022, with all statutory fees fully paid.
According to him, despite the valid allocation, Abanaonu allegedly entered the property unlawfully and commenced construction, ignoring repeated notices from the FHA directing him to vacate.
He further disclosed that the FHA had earlier instituted legal action to recover its illegally occupied properties nationwide and obtained a court order authorising the eviction of unlawful occupants.
Opara alleged that court bailiffs served enforcement notices on the disputed property, but Abanaonu allegedly mobilised individuals to remove the notices in the presence of court officials.
He added that the demolition of the structures was subsequently carried out by court bailiffs in compliance with the court order, alleging that Abanaonu also mobilised hoodlums to resist the enforcement.
The legal director further claimed that after the demolition, Abanaonu returned to the site with armed persons and resumed construction in defiance of the court order.
“This amounts to contempt of court,” Opara stated.
The organisation called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intensify its investigation into allegations that Abanaonu forged documents purportedly issued by a Federal Government agency.
INAHURAT also urged the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute him and his alleged associates for contempt of court and for obstructing court officials during the execution of lawful duties.
“Nigeria is a country governed by law. No individual, no matter how highly placed, is above the law. The rule of law must be obeyed, and court orders must be respected,” Opara said.
He urged the public and the media to disregard what he described as false narratives surrounding the demolition and instead support the enforcement of lawful court orders.
