Residents and indigenes of Uzamu Isinomeh, Emene Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, including widows, wept uncontrollably on Monday as officials of the Enugu State government agency demolished their homes.
One of the victims, Ezinne Blessing Nkemjurum Oguike, a widow, had told journalists that some individuals, suspected to be officials from the Ministry of Lands and Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, had ordered the demolition of their homes.
Oguike, who hails from Imo State and spoke through her son, Chukwuebuka Oguike, narrated that they bought the land, which they had been using more than 62 years ago, from the ancestral owners of the land before the Akanu Ibiam International Airport was built.
The octogenarian also lamented that they were not given any eviction notice or any notice of acquisition of the land by the government before the demolition exercise began on Monday, April 29, 2024.
According to the elder Oguike, they lost over 500 million Naira to the demolition which wasn’t supposed to happen because a former governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, listened to their explanations regarding the real owners of the land, and had urged them to go and do the necessary documentation on the land.
This hadn’t worked out because after Oguike paid the assessed C of O fees which amounted to N5,832,120.12 (Five million, eight hundred and thirty-two thousand, one hundred and twenty Naira, twelve Kobo) into the Enugu State IGR and obtained receipt, she was denied the C of O issuance document on the grounds that there was order from above to stop the issuance.
Mrs Oguike is only one of so many widows affected by the state government’s move and they have appealed to the State Government to intervene so they can avoid becoming tenants or evicted from their ancestral/acquired lands.
At press time, the Enugu State government has yet to react to the resident widow’s claims.
Why It Matters
The widows and residents of Uzamu Isinomeh, Emene Nike in Enugu are currently grieving the demolition of their ancestral homes for several compelling reasons:
- Emotional Value: The widows and residents alike hold deep sentimental value to their homes as they have been passed down through generations, symbolizing the roots and heritage of the families.
The sudden levelling of these ancestral properties has left them understandably devastated and heartbroken. - Lack of Warning: The home owners had not been given any prior notice or warning about the demolition and without adequate time to make preparations and alternative arrangements, they were caught unawares by the state government, leading to feelings of betrayal and injustice.
- Legal Ownership: Some of the affected residents, like Ezinne Blessing Nkemjurum Oguike, had legal documentation proving their ownership of the land but despite fulfilling all necessary requirements, including paying fees for a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), they were still subjected to demolition without justification, notice or compensation.
- Broken Promises: Even with the residents efforts to comply with the state government’s order by meeting with the former state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to facilitate the necessary documentation of their landed property, they were met with obstacles and ultimately faced the loss of their homes.
- Uncertain Future: Now that their ancestral homes have destroyed and their legal rights disregarded, the affected widows and residents face an uncertain future filled with the possibility of becoming homeless or being forced to relocate, disorganising their lives and livelihoods.
Bottom Line:
Overall, the demolition of these ancestral homes represents not only the loss of valuable property, it also violates and threatens the cultural heritage of the community.
The state government urgently needs to address the grieving community affected by the demolition and ensure that proper investigation is conducted, and justice and due compensation are served to the affected individuals.
