Malachy Chukwu, a prominent hotelier in Anambra State, has reportedly committed suicide following the demolition of his hotel by suspected youths of the Ifite-Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area. The tragic incident occurred after Chukwu discovered that his property had been destroyed.
In response to the demolition and Chukwu’s subsequent suicide, members of the Divine Heaven Amalgamated Landlords Association, Ifite-Nteje in Oyi LGA, staged a protest on Saturday. The demonstrators, comprising both men and women, decried the destruction of several buildings, including Chukwu’s hotel, which were valued at billions of Naira. The properties, located on Chinua Achebe Airport Road, Ifite-Nteje, were reportedly demolished by individuals posing as executive members of the Ifite-Nteje Development Union.
Chief Patrick Maduegbuna, Chairman of the association, called on Governor Charles Soludo to intervene to prevent a total breakdown of law and order. “The transaction took place in 2019, and the association started developing the place after payment. But all of a sudden, they started demolishing our property, claiming the land deal had been revoked. They demolished houses, the hotel, and other buildings nearing completion,” Maduegbuna stated.
He explained that despite attempts to resolve the issue, the perpetrators demanded additional payments for the land. “We chose to protest rather than take the law into our own hands. There are more than seven estates there. All we want is to have our property back,” he added.
Mr. Nwako Maduka, the association’s Secretary, asserted that the landlords had paid all required dues and had legitimate documentation, signed by the same individuals now attempting to revoke the land.
Chief Ikechukwu Erikeife, Chairman of the Ifite-Nteje land management committee, attributed the conflict to some young men attempting to resell plots they had already sold, causing confusion and unrest. He assured that the parcels of land were acquired through legitimate means and promised to address the situation, emphasizing that the developers could not afford to buy the land again.
Conversely, Mr. Ngoesina Okechukwu, Secretary of the Ifite-Nteje land management committee, dismissed the allegations as baseless, labeling those behind them as meddlesome interlopers. Okechukwu, a lawyer, maintained that the estate developers had followed due process in acquiring the land. He noted, “The Ifite-Nteje land management committee is a body constituted by the community with the power of attorney. The court has recognized the committee as the representative of Ifite-Nteje in numerous cases, securing judgments for the entire Nteje community.”
Reports indicate that around 70 associations acquired the extensive land along the airport road, with most of the buildings in various stages of completion now destroyed. The community remains tense as stakeholders await intervention and resolution from state authorities.