Anambra State Government has stated why the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry building owned by Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, a.k.a ‘Odumeje’ in Onitsha, was demolished.
In a statement signed by Governor Charles Soludo’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, it was stated that the cleric failed to comply with the government’s directive to remove the illegal structure he built on the waterway.
Earlier this year, Odumeje’s church building was identified by the government as one of the buildings sitting on drainage channels, and marked for demolition, in line with Onitsha Urban Renewal Plan spearheaded by the Soludo-led administration.
The statement reads:
“Following the expiration of the more than two weeks notice beginning from April 2022 served on developers and building owners who built several illegal structures along the waterway in Fegge and environs within Onitsha, Anambra state government has begun demolition of such structures.
“The exercise which is being carried out by a joint government task force, commenced the exercise from Bida Road by Modebe Avenue, Fegge Onitsha.
“The affected buildings include Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention Deliverance Ministries, shops and other perimeter fences.
“The structures were marked since April, 2022 and all developers and building owners were served notice to remove such illegal structures.”
During Thursday’s demolition exercise, Odumeje was manhandled by security agencies who accompanied the demolition team following his attempt to stop the officials from demolishing his church.
A viral video showed the comic cleric being assaulted by security men, including police officers and men of the vigilante services.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XKZX13vXLkk
He was severally slapped, and restricted from moving to the demolition area by armed security men.
The video however sparked mixed reactions, with many condemning the treatment of the cleric, while others described it as a welcome development.
