A real estate development firm, Chymax Homes Ltd, on Friday defended the company’s role in the demolition of a disputed property in Enugu State.
The company’s lawyer and convener of Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), Mr Maxwell Oprara, made this known on Friday at a press briefing in Abuja.
Opara said that the action was lawful and carried out pursuant to the Federal High Court order which was carried out by relevant federal authorities.
He said his client decided to respond publicly after allegations by the Management of Newberries Limited that accused Chymax Homes Ltd and Enugu Homes Ltd of unlawfully demolishing the property.
According to Opara, the allegations were widely circulated in the media without giving his clients an opportunity to present their side of the story.
He maintained that the disputed property belonged to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing
He explained that the property was originally allocated to Madugu Commercial and Construction Company Ltd and HEF Global Investment Ltd which subsequently sold it to Chymax Homes Ltd.
Opara said his client completed all required payments, including fees for the Certificate of Occupancy (CoC), before moving to take possession of the property.
He alleged that another company had erected structures on the land without authorisation despite being directed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to stop construction.
According to him, efforts to enforce an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja were initially resisted, with court bailiffs allegedly prevented from carrying out their duties.
He said the incident prompted the bailiff to file a report before the court.
Opara stated that the court subsequently authorised the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to recover the property and demolish the structures on the site.
He added that the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the court, Galumje Edingah wrote to the Inspector-General of Police, who in turn directed police commands to provide security during the enforcement exercise.
He said his clients had also petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the refusal of the company to leave the site after demolition
The lawyer, therefore, urged the EFCC to intensify efforts to investigate the matter and called on the Enugu State Government to intervene in the dispute.