A businessman, Mr. Uzoeto Sabest, has threatened to commit suicide over the demolition of his property, worth seven hundred million naira, by the Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mr. Sabest, who made his intention known while speaking to journalists at the demolition site in Onitsha on Saturday, accused the council chairman, Chief Emeka Orji, of spearheading the unfortunate exercise.
He described the demolition as an act of “insensitivity, callousness, and high-handedness.” He called on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, to intervene and ensure justice is served.
Sabest, who claimed to possess a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), an approved building plan, and all other necessary documents for the land, alleged that Orji ignored due process and disregarded an ongoing court case concerning the property.
“Where is the justice? Where can citizens seek refuge if they cannot turn to the court for protection? What they are creating is anarchy, and it will not be good for any of us,” he lamented.
The businessman further disclosed that his demolished buildings housed numerous traders, many of whom were petty vendors relying on the premises for their daily income.
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He accused the LGA chairman of not only destroying his property but also crippling the livelihoods of other traders in Onitsha and its environs.
Sabest recounted how, shortly after Orji assumed office as Caretaker Chairman in 2023, he was invited to a meeting regarding the property.
Following a review by a five-member committee set up by Orji himself, Sabest said he was cleared, and his documents were confirmed as legitimate. However, despite this clearance, the council allegedly continued issuing removal notices on his property.
He further claimed that in January 2025, his lawyer wrote to Orji and relevant security agencies, informing them that the matter was still in court, but his warnings were ignored.
Sabest noted that Orji boasted about having the governor’s backing and even claimed control over the judiciary and security agencies in the state.
He also recounted receiving a warning from a local government official that there were plans to eliminate him and label him as an “Unknown Gunman (UGM).”
“I have never seen anything like this in my life. The local government has no power under our laws to demolish any property. If my land was not legitimate, the governor would have revoked my C of O under overriding public interest,” he argued.
Reacting to the development, the Secretary of Onitsha South Local Government, Mr. Paul Onuachalla, who spoke on behalf of the council boss, claimed that the demolished land originally belonged to the council and was earmarked for a primary healthcare project.
According to Onuachalla, Sabest knew the transaction was illegal before acquiring the land and should stop discrediting the local government.
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