Anselem Anokwute
The General Manager Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) Hon. Franklin Nzewuodo, is currently enmeshed with the illegal act of demolitions and Vandalization of a 9 Standards lockup shops called Aku Mbieri Plaza belonging to Sir Udoka Uzoamaka of Umudagu Ihite Mbieri Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
It was revealed that OCDA GM Nzewuodo was coerced and allegedly bribed to destroy and demolished a property standing on Sir Udoka’s inherited portion of land in a minor encroachment with alledged Engr. Silas Ugorji, a man purportedly residing in United States America to make expansion of his own property behind the luckp stalls claiming it lacked OCDA building approvals.
Tensions escalated during the demolition on March 7th, 2024, as outraged local youths, deeming the action illegal, refrained from retaliating when armed youths from Ohaji, purportedly hired by OCDA, encouraged the destruction.
The demolished building’s ownership is under a minor dispute between Udoka and Ugorji, with a court case already in progress. Udoka contends that he rightfully owns the land and built the structure in 1999. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, OCDA proceeded with the demolition, prompting Udoka to demand ₦35 million in damages.
Expressing dissatisfaction, Udoka accused OCDA and Ugorji of contempt of court, urging the Governor, Senator. Hope Uzodimma to intervene. He allegedly accused Ugorji of bribed given to GM Nzewuodo of ₦5 million that resulted in the illegal demolitions. He re-emphasied other illegalities of OCDA GM, including Extortions of money, High-handedness, incompetent and thuggery in the job.
Eyewitness accounts from Aku Mbieri Plaza revealed that OCDA’s demolition truck brought illicit armed thuggs, hoodlums in vehicles who allegedly looted dry the shops before it was brought down to ruins.
Narrating the ordeal, Hon. Olu Chizoba Ofurum, the Chief Security Officer of the area, and one of the affected shop owners Mrs. Chisom Iwuoha and Mr. Calistus Chibuike Jerry, highlighted the devastating losses suffered, during the mayhem at the approximate estimate of ₦750,000 and ₦20 million and other losses which can’t be evaluated at the press time.
OCDA GM Nzewuodo who responded on proxy through his Personal Assistant, Mr. Chima Obiwuru, (Nke Nke Enyi) accepted that OCDA’ personnel was involved in the demolitions and added that the structure lacked necessary building permits and approvals.
Speaking, President General, Ihite Mbieri Autonomous Community Town Union Government, Comr. Prince Ehirim, condemned the actions of OCDA and posited that the matter in question has been a pending court and coming to demolition it on the instructions of the litigants is simply contempt of the court.
He called both side to remained law abiding and to avoid actions that will put the community in a crisis.
Responding , the Victim, Sir Udoka Uzoamaka recounts ordeal as he said that, the building has remained the basic means of family source of income build since 1999 as Nigeria economy is getting tougher and harder on daily basis. He is now grappling with the aftermath shock and Appealed to the Governor, Hope Uzodimma for not only financial assistance but to use external mechanism to verify the high level of injustices caused by OCDA and sack the GM Nzewuodo who had bring bad image and reputations to the government.
