Politics
THE Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Anambra State Chapter, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently direct the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, to halt all leasing, demolition and construction activities on the disputed historic political party office located on Niger Street, Fegge-Onitsha, Anambra State.
In a statement, the CLO recalled the purported leasing, demolition of former Secretariat of Social Democratic Party, SDP. situated along Niger Street Fegge-Onitsha, Anambra State has been demolished and cleared in spite ownership of the property is subject of litigation.
The CLO Anambra State Chairman, Vincent Ezekwueme, said that the organisation expressed grave concern over the demolition of the building in spite of the ongoing court case concerning the ownership. It recalled that the structure is subject of litigation between the Ogbo Family Umuasele Village Onitsha and the National Inland Waterways Authority pending at the Federal High Court, Awka in a suit no FHC/AWK/CS/2020.
According to the CLO, the structure was originally built by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, for the Social Democratic Party, SDP, during the Third Republic, now alleged to have been leased to Golden Consult Nigeria Limited based in Asaba at the cost of #37,612,978.00. The building holds historical significance as one of the symbols of Nigeria’s transition to civil rule.
“We are dismayed that in spite of a subsisting court case, one of the parties went ahead to demolish the edifice with the intent of erecting new structures,” Ezekwueme stated. “This action is a blatant disregard for the rule of law and due process.”
The CLO therefore appealed to President Tinubu to intervene immediately and ensure that the _status quo_ is maintained on the property until the matter is determined by the competent court of jurisdiction.
The organisation urged all the parties involved and residents of Fegge and Onitsha at large to remain peaceful and maintain law and order, while the judicial process runs its course.
“Justice can only be served when the unaffected are as outraged as those affected,” Ezekwueme emphasized. “Respect for democratic institutions and the rule of law must remain sacrosanct in our democracy.”
The CLO Anambra reiterated that this appeal had been made previously and is being reiterated with renewed urgency to prevent further breakdown of law and to preserve public trust in government institutions.
F.O
Tags: CLO Halt construction Halt Demolition Niger st. Onitsha Tinubu