However, tears, grieves flowed as un-estimated number of hoodlums, had their free day looting and carting away parcels, building materials, motor parts, drinks and other valuable items worth millions of Naira at said office of Ekesons in Anambra State during the demolition exercise.
247ureports.com gathered that the staff of the company and the manager of the park who was only identified as Mr. Samuel alleged that the demolition took them unaware following the fact that the park has been a subject of litigation between the state government and Ekesons groups, adding that the court has issued an order, restraining the government or its privies from disrupting the business of Ekeson Groups.
“We were surprise when we came to work this morning (Wednesday 11/6/2014) and met over thirty security men including Police and soldiers armed from teeth to toe as well as over fifty able bodied task force members here with their bulldozer and Pell-loaders demolishing all the structures including our corporate office. They chased us away, towed our buses to an unknown destination and condoned off the entire place while hoodlums had their free dayâ€Â An eyewitness alleged.
247ureports.com also learnt that over eighty luck-up shops and the co-operate office headquarters of Ekesons groups was demolished during the exercise and many of the thugs allegedly empowered by Obiano’s administration collapsed even a one was hit by a lump of block while trying to cart away a carton of motor parts during the demolishing one of the parking stores of Ekeson Groups.
Addressing newsmen on the circumstances surrounding the controversial demolition, the counsel to Chief E.E Ojukwu and E Ekeson Motors Agencies Ltd, Barr Fidelise Madugha of A.N Anyemene (SAN) chambers alleged that the action of Obiano’s task force men remains clear contempt of court.
The Counsel presented newsmen with a Federal High Court order Form 48 they procured in respect of suit No A/208/2007 and A/MOSC/33/2013. Arguing that government is continuous process, the legal luminary also maintained that both the government of Anambra State, Ex Governor Peter Obi, Commissioners for Lands and Survey as well as Commissioner for Environment Services Anambra State were all served with the order Form 48. .
The order reads in parts: “Notice of consequence of disobedience of court order 4 rule 13 copy of which was served on the Attorney General of Anambra State, Ministry of Justice Awka, it states as follows: Take notice that unless you obey directives contained in this order you will be guilty of contempt of court and liable to be committed to prisonâ€Â
The court order dated 19th August further states that the governor and government of Anambra State cannot under the Land Use Act which is a Federal legislation revoke or seize the pieces or parcel of land which was allocated to the plaintiff by the Federal government of Nigeria in 1992.
The defendants/respondents, their Agents privies, servants or anybody acting on their behalf are hereby perpetually restrained from entering into, demolishing or interfering with the plaintiff normal private business at their motor/Bus park situated at and known as E. Ekeson private Bus/motor Park at Upper Iweka Road flyover Onitsha except with the consent of the plaintiff.
The order which was issued in Awka under the seal of the court and hand of the presiding Judge Hon Justice C.O Nweke was dated 4th day of November, 2009 and was endorsed by Osieme V.O (Mrs) Assistant Chief Litigation officer Awka Judicial Division.
Meanwhile Governor Willie Obiano has reiterated the determination of his government to rid the state off criminals so as to sanitize Anambra State.
Governor Obiano who spoke to journalists when he visited the demolition site said that the demolition is part of the on going ten years development plan of Anambra State and assured that his administration will stop at nothing in her resolve to building an economic and viable stable Anambra state that would attract investors and fast track development.
