Police arrest 7 as landlord, tenant fight over demolition of house

PHIL OKOSE, Onitsha

For allegedly embarking on demolition of a building still housing the tenants at No. 1 Chidera Okponwudeugo close, Hill View Estate, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government area, Anambra state, by a new landlord, who is a banker, Mr. Gozie Anaekee, police at 3’3 Police station had allegedly arrested seven workers of the new landlord.

The arrest it was gathered was based on the report by one of the tenants, a pharmacist, Mr  Chinedu Obi, made against the new landlord claiming damages to property and drugs on the course of embarking on the demolition exercise.

Narrating his ordeal in the hand of Mr. Anaekee, during a press briefing Obi disclosed that there was no quit notice from a court of competent jurisdiction that was served the tenants of the building and that his tenancy rent payment is still running when the new landlord, Anaekee, who newly purchased the building from their old landlord, Mr. Ezeanyim Chidi Soyabuchi, commenced the demolition which according to him has caused him collosal damages and loss to his property.

“Anaekee first disconnected the cables that provided power to the building before he de roofed the building and removed the ceilings thereby keeping me at great danger. He employed the services of thugs who carried out the destruction with some of his workers and police arrested about seven of the workers.

“To worsen the situation my pharmacy is now flooded as a result of the recent heavy down pour few days ego. I want justice because Anaekee threatened my life and boasted that I would be seen no more by the time he finishes dealing with me. That he doesn’t mind selling 21 plots of land and use the proceeds to eliminate me.

” He did not serve us a quit notice from a competent court; his lawyer only wrote us, asking us to quit that by last Thursday, whoever stays there is staying at their own risk that the demolition of the entire building must be done on that day,” he further explained.

In a swift reaction when contacted, Anaekee, the new landlord while admitting that he de roofed the building and disconnected the cables of the power supply, disowned all the tenants in the disputed building.

“I don’t have any tenant there, whatever issue they have they should sort it out with their old landlord. Let Obi bring evidence where I threatened his life, I told him to leave my place so that I can work on the project I have at hand, is it a threat. If that is a threat to life, yes, I am guilty of it. That is the matter , nothing more.

“I even told the workers to stop work until he packs out. Actually I removed the roof because I am short of time, nothing from him was removed, his property was not touched. The DPO, Mr Chukwunonso Onunkwo, (CSP), was calling me, threatening my life and I told him I am not running away and when I came and told him my story he said he thought it was a serious criminal offence and urged us to settle the issue.

“Police arrested some of my workers when they came to the scene. I have a project I want to start by July in the said building and I gave Obi enough time to leave. Other tenants have left, because we are friends, I gave him more time. He is not my tenant and did not pay any money to me. I am still ready for peace talk with him, we are friends,” he pleaded.