Igbo Group Demands Restoration, Compensation From Wike Over Asokoro Demolition

The youth wing of pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, has called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately restore and pay adequate monetary compensation for alleged malicious and unwarranted demolition of properties worth billions of naira in Asokoro District of Abuja.

The group said that its attention has been drawn to the very disturbing incident that happened at Asokoro extension Abuja where some agents of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in a gestapo style rolled out their bulldozers to demolish legitimate properties belonging to businessesman Nicholas Ukachukwu on the orders of the minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, the acting national youth leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, said the land was validly acquired in the nineties, and has clear history of legitimacy.

He said that the group has seen all the documents of acquisition, court judgements, orders, and evidence of ministerial approvals for restoration of titles, adding that it was quite disheartening that this unlawful and hateful act was executed without recourse to the rule of law or any valid court judgement.

He said, contrary to the claims of FCT authorities, that the land was allocated in error to Praco International Limited and the Ukachukwus, FCT authorities must be reminded that Nigeria is governed by law and as such should desist from anything that is inimical to the peace, unity and progress of the country.

He said that they were miffed by the sheer audacity of FCTA to unleash mayhem on fellow Nigerians even without any serious provocation, insisting that FCT Authorities must be cautioned. He noted that as law-abiding citizens, they wanted to use this opportunity to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene in this matter as a panacea for peace, equity and justice.

He added that government was a continuum and that other past FCT ministers were not ignorant of the law governing FCT land administration, therefore it is instructive to note that Ukachukwu Brothers are law abiding citizens, with national honours, who acquired their wealth through dint of hard work and unwavering commitment to excellence, and have contributed immensely to peace, development and overall wellbeing of the Federal Capital Territory.

Mazi Okpalaezeukwu, on behalf of the group, demanded the immediate and unreserved apologies to the Ukachukwu Brothers, for labelling them land grabbers and pay adequate monetary compensation to them for alleged malicious and unwarranted demolition of their properties.

The group saluted the courage and resilience of President Bola Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda and tireless efforts in reshaping the economy for sustainable growth and appealed to the president to graciously release “our Brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in order to strengthen our hands in mobilizing support for him.”

“We reaffirm our loyalty and devotion to the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by the President General- His Excellency Chief Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu MFR OFR CFR(Ahaejiagamba), for a Peaceful, Stable and Progressive Nigerian State that shall be the pride of all black Nations of the world,” the group added.