Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state, Chukwuma Soludo, has said that popular Pastor, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, who is also known as Odumeje will pay for the cost of demolishing his church as well others whose properties will be demolished.
The governor said this Soludo in Awka, the state capital on Friday, July 8. He said there were several notices sent to all house owners, whose houses were marked for demolition, and that they were all served notices, and asked to remove such structures.
Soludo also said that two parishes of the Catholic church were still waiting for demolition.
“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. Infact, this is costing us money, and the structures should have been removed before now, but they choose 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.”
The governor also mentioned that two Catholic parishes that are also to be demolished are St Dominic Catholic church and Our Lady Queen Catholic church.
He stated that 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 laws into his hands and attempted to stop the exercise.
