The founder of Okunerere Consuming Fire Ministry, Nsukka, in Enugu State, Rev Fr Prof Paul Obayi, has said he would adopt legal means to find redress following the demolition of some structures and equipment of his adoration ministry on Thursday.
Fr Obayi said though the mission of those behind the demolition was unclear to him, he would ensure that justice was done.
Speaking in an interview with Ezike Satellite TV, Fr Obayi said, “I wasn’t around when they came. Before I arrived, they had destroyed our fence and were already inside the adoration ground. The woman, identified as Princess Monica Otta, in her car was giving orders and boasting that she fought Fr Ejike Mbaka to a standstill and vowed to slander my name. She was also threatening who owns the land. I thought it was a joke. I alerted the police, and they told me that the woman identified with them before coming to inspect the structures. She had told them she was going to inspect her property.
“The people I saw were unknown to me. She claimed she was sent by the government to bring down the structures. Even if the land is not mine, there are rules to doing things. I could be given a quit notice. What they destroyed is over N300m. Our bands, newly acquired water bottling machines, and some buildings were all crushed. We procured them about a week ago through the funds of Ekene Microfinance Bank.”
He said he would deploy legitimate means to fight the injustice, adding that, “I’m a calm legal entity. God will fight for us. The woman said she is from Gburugburu [nickname of former Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi]. We really want to know who is behind this.”
He said prior to the demolition, some unidentified people came and marked some areas in the area. In his words, “They claimed they were sent by the town planning authorities. I went to Enugu and demanded those who sent them. I was told a woman came but was denied such a demand to demolish.
“I’m not disturbed. She said she is President Tinubu’s campaign director. This is an adoration ground. I doubt if the government is aware of her coming. She lied to the Area Command that she was coming to inspect her land.”
It was gathered that the Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Hon Chinedu Asogwa, arrived at the scene to intervene but was rebuffed by the woman.
“The woman asked the chairman to come to her car before she could respond,” according to an eyewitness, adding, “the chairman was angered, and ordered the confiscation of the bulldozer and other equipment they brought for the demolition. Those things were evacuated to the council headquarters.”
The demolition, it was learnt, was carried out on Thursday, allegedly under the supervision of military and police operatives.
