By Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State government has been accused of allegedly disobeying lawful Court Order, following the demolition of the homes of Dr Prosper Orezimena, a medical practitioner and his neighbour, Pa. India Osanebi by the State Ministry of Urban Renewal on alleged instigation of a powerful Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) chieftain who wants to use their compound to access his.
The victims had through an experte motion dated and filed 22-5-24, approached the Delta State High Court of justice, in the Effurun judicial division holden at Effurun, praying this Honourable Court for the following order’s to wit: “An order of interim injunction restraining the Defendants jointly and severally, their servants, agents, privies, or otherwise howsoever called from demolishing, pulling down, destroying or doing anything to the contrary to the interest of the Applicant with regard to the Applicant property at No. 1. Airaboyi Close, off Jesus is Lord Street off Refinery Road, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Pending the Determination of the Motion on Notice.
His Lordship, the Honourable Justice R.D. Harriman (Mrs.) Judge of High Court No. 2, Effurun, sitting at Effurun, in the Effurun judicial Division, holden at Effurun on Friday, the 24 day of May, 2024, while granting the relief sorted by the Applicant the order in Suit No: EHC/100/2024 between Dr Prosper Orezimena, Mr. India Osanebi and 1. Ministry of Urban Renewal, Delta State, 2. Ministry of Land & Survey, Delta State, 3. Attorney General Delta State, defendants, 4. The Executive Governor, Delta State, the court granted their “order as prayed” and fixed return date as10/6/2024.
In defiance to the court order, the state government on June 20th, 2024 through the Ministry of Urban Renewal and Ministry of Land & Survey under alleged instigation of powerful party chieftain brought in bulldozers and brought the building down, with occupants not given chance to move their belongings out.
Narrating his ordeal, Dr. Orezimena who spoke to journalists recalled at first receiving notices in February from the Ministry of Urban Renewal ordering him to halt renovation works. “I was only giving my property a new look. I found it strange they wanted to stop such harmless work,” he said.
The notices also instructed the submission of drawings, which were duly provided in compliance. However, in May the Ministry resurfaced with threats of demolition. Court documents seen by this newspaper show Dr Orezimena and Mr Osanebi swiftly obtained an interim injunction from Justice R.D. Harriman restraining any such action.
Records reveal the order was served on the Ministry and other defendants on May 29th. In a brazen display, Ministry officials supervised the bulldozing of the properties on June 20th regardless. “I watched in horror as machines destroyed the building I built with my savings. It was so painful,” recalled a distraught Dr. Orezimena.
Eyewitnesses said Ministry staff disrupted recordings and seized phones from onlookers. When contacted, Commissioner Michael Anoka denied knowledge of any court order despite confirmation it was served. An affected resident stated: “The reckless manner they went about it shows this was premeditated illegality.”
In a further escalation, another bulldozer arrived on June 21st. According to Dr Orezimena: “A mobile policeman even shot at my worker luckily missing him. They’re threatening me to stop pursuing the case.” The victim’s phone was forcibly retrieved and evidence was deleted by ministry-linked men.
“So, what drove such wanton acts in contempt of the judiciary? Dr Orezimena strongly believes it was instigated by an influential neighbour, a chieftain of the ruling party in the state who wanting to seize the land. “He’s been troubling us for a long time. Now they’re aiding his agenda through intimidation,” the medical doctor asserted.
With debris yet to be cleared, residents now fear imminent health issues and environmental hazards. As consultations continue on the next steps legally, questions linger over accountability for the undermining of due process. Justice should not only be done but be visibly seen to be done.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if any state laws were breached. However, for now, Dr. Orezimena says: “All I want is for those who destroyed my property and career to face the full weight of the law.” Until then, the pall of injustice continues to hang over the affected communities.
