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The Enugu State Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, has cried out over what it described as unlawful demolition of its engineering centre in the state.
The NSE in an official report about the alleged demolition addressed to the National President of the Society, Engr. Gidari-Wudil Tasiu Saad, entitled “REPORT OF THE UNLAWFUL DEMOLITION OF THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS, ENUGU BRANCH’S ENGINEERING CENTRE, PLOT 23/C AT INDEPENDENCE LAYOUT, ENUGU, BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ENUGU STATE ON 18TH JULY, 2023,” dated August 4, 2023 and sighted by Dome News, disclosed that the demolished property which had already been developed was allocated to the Society by the administration of Sullivan Chime in 2010.
According to the professional body, all necessary fees for allocation of PLOT P/23C Independence Layout to Spring Bank: Survey Fee Account No 0231401000435.
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The NSE said sometime in late July, 2021, a trespasser, one Mr. Oke Hyacinth Ayogu, who is the Managing Director of Hymac Real Ltd, a real estate development company laid claims to the NSE land and property, including other adjoining plots within the neighborhood.
NSE also claimed that Mr. Ayogu threatened to demolish all the surrounding structures in the area including the Engineering Centre building.
In the report signed on behalf of NSE, Enugu branch by the Chairman, Engr. Chigbo Obealor and Secretary , Engr. Nneka Nwagugu, , the Mr Ayogu took NSE to court but lost but later appealed the ruling of the High Court and the case is currently in the Court of Appeal with case file Appeal No. CA/E/73/2022.
The NSE stated that the survey plan being paraded by the estate developer is entirely different from what the government issued to it in 2011.
It disclosed that On 6th April, 2023, the state chapter of the NSE made application Ref: NSE/EC/MOL/2023/A001 to the Hon. Commissioner, Enugu State Ministry of Lands in pursuant to sections 5a & 9 of the Land Use Act, to issue forthwith, Certificate of Occupancy having complied with all the necessary conditions precedent but till date , it did not get official response from the Ministry.
According to NSE, while the cases relating to the said property were still in courts even with Enugu State Government joined as co-respondent in the law suits, at about 4.00 pm on Friday, 14th July, 2023, it received report that Enugu State Government marked its property for demolition with 48 hours’ notice and mobilized for demolition at about 6.00 pm same day.
The Branch Executive committee and other members of the Branch however rushed to the Engineering Center and resisted the planned demolition that night.
They said the NSE immediately petitioned the Governor of Enugu State, Secretary to the State Government, Solicitor-General and the Head of Administration, Enugu Capital Territory Authority.
Other authorities petitioned by the NSE include; the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Enugu, as well as the Deputy Chief Registrar, Court of Appeal, and Assistance Chief Registrar High Court of Enugu State.
This they said led to a meeting with the Secretary to Enugu State Government in his office at 10.00am on 17th July, 2023 with other stakeholders.
The meeting chaired by (SSG) Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, and the Solicitor General of Enugu State; Barr. Victor Emeribe, the Chief of Staff; Barr. Victor Udeh had other representatives of the government in attendance.
According to the society, it made representation through Engr. Chigbo Obealor; Chairman, Engr. Dr. Uchenwa Ujam. FNSE, immediate past Chairman, Engr. Bartholomew Edeh. FNSE, Chairman Emeritus and Eng. Okechukwu Ugwu; Secretary, and the Engineering Centre Land Committee.
It disclosed that after due deliberations on the demolition order by the Enugu State Government, the SSG said the meeting was not to undermine the courts processes but was for the government to have clear picture of the matter and therefore: directed all parties to stay actions pending the outcome of the court proceedings and / or out of court peaceful resolution of the matter with the state Government.
They said it came as rude shock when less that 24 hours of the meeting with the state government at about 10.00am on 18th July, 2023, demolition of the Engineering Center commenced by the directives of the State Government.
The NSE said it lack words to express the shock and unimaginable betrayal of trust from the highly esteemed office of SSG, under the leadership of a Professor of sterling international pedigree whose word stands adding that the Society took him by his word and could not describe the grief and torture they are subjected to, as they watch the Enugu state government pull down the Engineering Centre building.
It expressed concern about the arbitrary demolition of the engineering centre which has gulped over N380 million and appealed to the NSE National President to draw the attention of the Federal Government and other agencies to put an end to the executive recklessness of the Enugu State Government, and to ensure that justice is done by releasing the plot of land and the payment of collateral damages perpetrated on the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Enugu Branch.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigerian Society of Engineers has issued a pre-action notice to institute legal proceeding against the Enugu State Government .
It is making a civil claim in respect of TRESPASS, DEMOLITION of property without a valid Court permission and DAMAGES.
The particulars of NSE claim against the Enugu State Government include; declaratory reliefs, failure to follow due process of law, negligent of duty of care in the protection of Allotee’s property, exemplary damages, directory Orders, and injunction.
