Residents of the former Social Democratic Party building located on Niger Street in Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra State, staged a protest over what they described as an impending eviction following the Federal Government’s lease of the property to a private businessman through Golden Crown Consult Nigeria Limited, an Asaba-based firm.
The demonstrators, made up largely of police personnel and a few civilian occupants, marched through the area expressing dissatisfaction with the directive requiring them to vacate the premises. According to findings, the Federal Government reportedly leased the property to the businessman for N37,612,978.00 through Golden Crown Consult Nigeria Limited and subsequently issued a quit notice to those residing there.
While acknowledging receipt of the eviction notice, the occupants argued that the two-week deadline provided was inadequate. They appealed to the authorities to extend the period to at least three months or allow them to remain until the end of the year to enable them secure alternative accommodation, according to Daily Champion.
Many of the protesters, some carrying leaves, said they lived in the property with their families and stressed that, as breadwinners, they required more time to make suitable relocation arrangements. They also confirmed receiving N300,000 each as compensation intended to assist them in finding new housing.
A section of the lease document issued to Golden Crown Consult Nigeria Limited stated: “The Presidency. Implementation committee of the white paper on the commission of inquiry into the alienation of Federal Government landed property”.
It further read: “Further to your expression of interest to take up a leasehold interest in the above mentioned property (hereinafter refered to as the FGN), together with all appurtenances, rights of way, easements and privileges related thereto. We are pleased to inform you that Mr President has graciously approved that you should be offered a lease of the property on as is basis at the stipulated price (hereinafter refered to as the consideration).”
Speaking on behalf of some of the occupants, Delight Okwuegbulem appealed for an extension of the deadline, insisting that residents were not opposed to leaving the property but needed sufficient time to relocate.
“We are not saying we will not park out. What we are saying is that they should give us more time. Initially, they told us three months and later said two weeks.
“We cannot find an alternative place in two weeks, at least three months to end of this year. I have stayed here for three years. The time frame they gave us is too short,” he pleaded.
Another resident, Mrs. Anthonia Onyebuchi, said the search for a new residence had been difficult since the notice was served.
“We have not seen houses to park in, since the time they serve us the quit notice till now we have not rested as we continue to look for an alternative place. They should help us by giving us six months or more,” she begged.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Paul Onuachala, challenged the ownership claims surrounding the property, maintaining that it belongs to the council and warning against any attempt by individuals or groups to assert ownership.
“The property belongs to Onitsha South Local Government area, so they have no right to sell or lease it. The person selling it or leasing it has no genuine title, so how can he sell.
“The property in question is a right issue that belongs to Onitsha South local Government area that inherited it from old Onitsha Urban council, down to Onitsha Local Government and now to Onitsha South Local Government area. If Fegge local Government is created the property will belong to Fegge Local Government area,” he stated.
Addressing the ongoing ownership dispute involving the Ogbo family of Umuasele village, Onitsha, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which is reportedly before a court, Onuachala argued that NIWA has no claim to the property.
According to him, NIWA’s responsibilities are limited to navigation on waterways and do not extend to the disputed party house.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Anambra State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, had yet to respond to text messages seeking confirmation and clarification on the matter.
