…Buildings Destroyed To Create Access Road To PDP Chieftain’s New Home – Aggrieved Landlords
In what came as the biggest shock of their lives, two buildings belonging a 70-year-old retiree, Pa. India Osanebi and a medical practitioner, Dr. Prosper Oresimena, have been demolished by the Delta State Government with no clear reason at Airaboyi Close, off Jesus Is Lord Street off Refinery Road, Effurun in Uvwie, Delta State.
The buildings said to be life-savings of both landlords were demolished despite a subsisting court order by the State High Court in Effurun restraining the state government taking any action on the buildings.
Dr. Orezimena and Pa. Osanebi alleged that the destruction was orchestrated by a powerful chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who wants to use their compounds to create access road to his new building in the area.
They noted that both buildings were legally built with relevant approvals from government agencies, adding that the buildings were not met to be access road.
It was gathered that the victims had through an experte motion dated and filed 22nd May, 24, at the Delta State High Court of Effurun to stop the action when they were first served the notice to vacate their homes.
They had prayed the court amongst other things; “An order of interim injunction restraining the Defendants jointly and severally, their servants, agents, privies, or otherwise howsoever called from demolishing, pulling down, destroying or doing anything to the contrary to the interest of the Applicant with regard to the Applicant property at No. 1. Airaboyi Close, off Jesus is Lord Street off Refinery Road, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Pending the Determination of the Motion on Notice.
The presiding judge of State High Court 2 Effurun, Justice (Mrs.) R.D. Harriman, on Friday, 24th May, 2024, while granting the reliefs sorted by the applicants in Suit No: EHC/100/2024 between Dr Prosper Orezimena, Mr. India Osanebi and Ministry of Urban Renewal, Delta State; Ministry of Land & Survey, Delta State; Attorney General Delta State and Governor of Delta State as first, second, third and fourth defendants ordered the defendants not proceed with the planned demolition of the buildings.
Justice Harriman granted “an Order of interim injunction restraining the Defendants jointly and severally, their servants, agents, privies, or otherwise howsoever called from demolishing pulling down, destroying or doing anything to the contrary to the interest of the Applicant with regard to the Applicant property at No. 1. Airaboyi Close, off Jesus is Lord Street off Refinery Road, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Pending the Determination of the Motion on Notice.”
In defiance to the court order, the state government on June 20th, 2024 through the Ministry of Urban Renewal and Ministry of Land & Survey under alleged instigation of powerful party chieftain brought in bulldozers and pulled the buildings down, with occupants not given chance to move their belongings out.
Narrating his ordeal, Dr. Orezimena who spoke to journalists recalled at first receiving notices in February from the Ministry of Urban Renewal ordering him to halt renovation works. “I was only giving my property a new look. I found it strange they wanted to stop such harmless work,” he said.
The notices also instructed the submission of drawings, which were duly provided in compliance. However, in May the Ministry resurfaced with threats of demolition. Court documents seen by this newspaper show Dr Orezimena and Mr Osanebi swiftly obtained an interim injunction from Justice R.D. Harriman restraining any such action.
Findings indicate that the court order was served on the Ministry and other defendants on May 29th.
But in a brazen manner, Ministry officials along with security agents supervised the destruction of the properties on June 20th regardless. “I watched in horror as machines destroyed the building I built with my savings. It was so painful,” recalled a distraught Dr. Orezimena.
Eyewitnesses said Ministry staff disrupted recordings and seized phones from onlookers. When contacted, Commissioner Michael Anoka denied knowledge of any court order despite confirmation it was served. An affected resident stated: “The reckless manner they went about it shows this was premeditated illegality.”
In a further escalation, another bulldozer arrived on June 21st. According to Dr Orezimena: “A mobile policeman even shot at my worker luckily missing him. They’re threatening me to stop pursuing the case.” The victim’s phone was forcibly retrieved and evidence was deleted by ministry-linked men.
“So, what drove such wanton acts in contempt of the judiciary? Dr Orezimena strongly believes it was instigated by an influential neighbour, a chieftain of the ruling party in the state who wanting to seize the land. “He’s been troubling us for a long time. Now they’re aiding his agenda through intimidation,” the medical doctor asserted.
With debris yet to be cleared, residents now fear imminent health issues and environmental hazards. As consultations continue on the next steps legally, questions linger over accountability for the undermining of due process. Justice should not only be done but be visibly seen to be done.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if any state laws were breached. However, for now, Dr. Orezimena says: “All I want is for those who destroyed my property and career to face the full weight of the law.” Until then, the pall of injustice continues to hang over the affected communities.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Mr. Michael Anoka said his ministry was not served with any order restraining the demolition of the property.
There were however indications the restraining order was duly served on both the commissioner and the ministry as investigation has shown that on the 29th of May 2024, at the about 11:30am, a staff of the ministry signed and received the restraining order on behalf of the commissioner.
