Anambra state governor, Charles Soludo, has explained why the state government demolished the church building of a popular prophet, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Christian Aburime, Gov. Soludo said the prophet and owners of other illegal buildings built along waterways, marked for demolition failed to comply with the government’s directive to remove the structures.
“Following the expiration of the more than two months’ 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 the demolition of such structures,” he said.
The governor’s reaction came shortly after information about the demolition of the church building and the manhandling of the cleric became public.
“The structures were marked since April 2022 and all developers and building owners were served notice to remove such illegal structures”.
He said apart from the cleric’s church building, some shops and perimeter fences were also demolished.
The church, Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, on Thursday, was demolished by members of the state task force.
During the demolition exercise, some security operatives were captured in a video clip manhandling the cleric.
Mr Soludo’s statement, however, did not address the manhandling of the cleric.