By joshua DEMOLITION: OVER 300 PROPERTY OWNERS SEEK GOVERNOR OBOREVWORI’S INTERVENTION
By Rita Oyiboka
ASABA – Over 300 property owners whose buildings were demolished in Asaba have appealed to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene in a protracted land dispute between Parkview Estates and Dennis Osadebay University.
The property owners, under the aegis of Parkview Estates, Anwai, alleged that their buildings were demolished on May 14, 2024, by the Delta State Taskforce on Recovery of Government Lands, despite pending legal proceedings and an alleged court injunction restraining further action.
Speaking to journalists after proceedings at the High Court, Asaba, the Chairman of Parkview Estates, Chief Charles Ogbobe, described the demolition as devastating, stating that it destroyed investments worth millions of naira, rendered families homeless and caused severe emotional and financial hardship.
Ogbobe said the disputed land, located at Anwai, Musa Camp – later renamed Ugbomanta by the Asagba of Asaba – was legitimately acquired from the Isieke community, which he said possesses documents establishing ownership.
He argued that the dispute stems from competing claims between the community and the state-owned university, noting that the land was originally leased to one Reverend Prior, a colonial administrator, in 1953 for a period of 50 years, a lease which expired in 2003.
“We never disputed the government’s right to own land, but we asked them to provide evidence of ownership,” Ogbobe stated.
He further alleged that between 12 and 13 affected persons have died since the demolition as a result of hardship and emotional trauma.
According to him, the High Court has directed both parties to produce survey plans delineating the boundaries of the disputed property.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the estate, Mr. Samuel Onuwa David, alleged that the demolition was carried out before the expiration of the seven-day notice issued to occupants, despite efforts by residents to obtain an injunction.
David disclosed that he lost a private school, a residential building and four buildings belonging to his in-laws. He maintained that available documents show the lease to the university expired in 1991.
“We are appealing to the governor, as a father, to come to our aid. Let him compensate us for the houses that were demolished and give us back our land,” he appealed.
Another affected property owner, Mr. Christian Nwaolisa, said he returned from Northern Nigeria to settle in his home state only to lose his residence, despite obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy and building approval before development.
Similarly, Mr. Chuks Okei said he purchased his land from the community, conducted a survey and obtained government building approval before commencing construction in 2020, spending about three years to develop the property before it was demolished.
The affected residents called on Governor Oborevwori to investigate the circumstances surrounding the dispute and ensure justice is served.