Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has said that Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere (Odumeje) must pay for the cost of demolishing his church in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Soludo who spoke at the weekend said there were several notices sent to Odumeje and other house owners , whose property were marked for demolition, and that they were all served notices, and asked to remove such structures.
The governor maintained that any of such people who did not remove such marked property by themselves must pay for the cost of demolishing them by government.
He said two Catholic churches were awaiting demolition in line with the state government’s plans.
He said,“It is costing us money. They had several notices to remove such structures, but they refused.“The demolition started yesterday (Thursday), and so far so good. The demolition went well, except for Pastor Odumeje, who according to the report drove in, in a brazen manner and attempted to take over the equipment.
“Of course, state work must go on, and security had to stop him. This was a man who was in several meetings we had, and also spoke. In fact, this is costing us money, and the structures should have been removed before now, but they chose to test the resolve of government.
“Once we are done with this exercise, we will compile the bills and send to the persons involved, and they must pay.”
“Two Catholic parishes involved in the illegal structures demolition are St Dominic Catholic church and Our Lady Queen Catholic church”.
He said the parish priest of Our Lady Queen Catholic Parish was around when the demolition team visited, and even cooperated, and also granted an interview.
He regretted that Pastor Odumeje took the laws into his hands and attempted to stop the exercise, adding that the state would not allow itself to be intimidated by anybody.
Soludo, it was gathered, had earlier withdrawn an apology he was reportedly said to have tendered to the fiery prophet.