An indigene of Enugu State, Mr. Michael Eze of Umuogbuoagu Community, Enugu Ezike in the Igboeze North Local Government Area has cried out to relevant authorities over an alleged forceful take over of his landed property.
He, has, therefore, sent an SOS to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and the police authorities.
Eze said he was now fighting a battle of his life as a serving commissioner in Enugu State did not only snatch his property but demolished his building.
In the petition, he alleged malicious damage, threat to his life, act likely to cause breach of peace, obtaining by false pretense, and robbery against Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Vitus Okechi and two policemen, Simon Nwanze and Ivoh Kenneth.
In the petition, Eze’s counsel, Nweke Ikenna (esq) narrated how his client acquired a land situated at Umuchigo Iji-Nike, from the original owners of the land, commenced development of the land in the open until 26/5/17 when the commissioner allegedly invaded the developed property with a bulldozer and maliciously demolished our clients structures without any notice or court order.
The commissioner, Vitus Okechi, according to the petition, was arrested by some military officers who were angered by his action especially when he could not produce any court order for his action.
He was handed over to the Area Command for investigation.
“However, to the highest dismay and consternation of our client, on June, 1st 2017, IPO, Mr. Simon Nwanze detailed to investigate the matter called on our client on phone, and informed him that he was needed to be interviewed at the office.
“On his arrival, the Area Commander himself told our client that the case has been transferred to Umuahia for investigation and that he should follow his men to Umuahia.
“Our client went in the company of Ivoh Kenneth and Simon Nwanze, police officer from Area Command. However, along the line, they stopped at Awkunanaw Police Station, Enugu where their mobile phones were taken away from them, and they were detained.
“Our clients’ N130,000 were collected from them before their release”, the petition read.
Mr. Eze has called for rescue from the hands of the commissioner, Area commander and the two policemen all of whom he alleged had apparently United to deal with him and deprive him of his had earned property.
“Sir, our client does not wish to die over his bonafide property which he legitimately acquired by purchase. He also does not wish to be scared and frightened away from making lawful use of his property by the commissioner, Hon. Vitus Okechi who is propelled by greed to unlawfully expropriate him of his property or kill him for daring to resist him at all.
“It is our sincere belief that our clients protection from the madness which propels commissioner Vitus Okechi and his partners in crime lies within the confines of your statutory authority and we earnestly implore yo to rise to this occasion and contain their costly and dangerous activities targeted at our client b fore it’s too late”, he added in the petition.
However, reacting to the allegations the commissioner, Vitus Okechi expressed shock over the petition, insisting that it was a property he bought before he became commissioner.
“It was a land I bought N7m and when I noticed that some land speculators must have cheated him, I tried to help him recover his money but he went behind and paid some soldiers to provide him with security while he built on my land.
“I had no choice than to demolish the building. I cannot allow an intruder take my property just because I am a Commissioner”, he declared.
