Victor Ezeja
Anambra State government has given reasons it demolished the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry owned by Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as ‘Odumeje’ in the commercial city of Onitsha.
Videos that circulated online on Thursday show bulldozer deployed by a joint government task force on environmental safety that pulled down the structure, located at Bida Road Off Creek Road, Fegge, Onitsha.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe governor through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, explained that the building was on waterway and was part of the structures marked for demolition in Fegge and environs earlier this year in line with the Soludo administration’s Onitsha Urban Renewal Plan.
He stated that a notice of removal of illegal structures was served to developers and building owners in April but Odumeje failed to comply with the directive, hence the forceful demolition.
The statement reads: “Following the expiration of the more than two weeks notice beginning from April 2022 served on developers and building owners who built several illegal structures along the waterway in Fegge and environs within Onitsha, Anambra State government has begun demolition of such structures.
“The exercise which is being carried out by a joint government task force, commenced the exercise from Bida Road by Modebe Avenue, Fegge Onitsha.
“The affected buildings include Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention Deliverance Ministries, shops and other perimeter fences.
“The structures were marked since April, 2022 and all developers and building owners were served notice to remove such illegal structures.”
The viral video showed Odumeje being manhandled by security operatives as he perhaps, attempted to interfere with the demolition exercise.
The treatment meted out on the controversial cleric attracted mixed reactions from people who watched the video in various social media platforms where it was shared, with some condemning the action of the security operatives.
Others, however, commended the demolition exercise.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
