Onitsha South Petitions Anambra CP Over Bizman’s Destruction Of Property
Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nanna Oji Ama
Onitsha South Local Government Area (OSLGA) of Anambra State has petitioned the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, requesting an investigation into the alleged destruction of council property by one Mr. Uchenna Sabest Uzoeto and other persons said to be at large.
The petition, signed by the Council Secretary, Mr. Paul Onuachalla, and titled “Petition for the Investigation of Alleged Malicious Damage to Property, Fraud, Intimidation, Harassment and Other Related Offences Committed by Messrs. Uchenna Sabest Uzoeto and Others Now at Large at the Council’s Property Along Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area,” accused Mr. Uzoeto and others of allegedly damaging council property, including a Fire Service Station located on the premises.
The council urged the Commissioner of Police to order an immediate investigation into Mr. Uzoeto, his alleged collaborators and other persons said to be at large over the alleged demolition and destruction of structures on the council’s property.
According to the petition, “Onitsha South Local Government (hereinafter referred to as ‘OSLG’) is the lawful owner and/or occupier and is presently in active possession of its property situated along Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area.”
The council stated that it had issued notices to occupants and squatters on the property informing them of its intention to take possession.
It said that, following the expiration of the notices duly served on the occupants, OSLG lawfully recovered possession of the premises.
It further stated that all the occupants, including Mr. Uzoeto, vacated the property after receiving the notices.
According to the council, Mr. Uzoeto subsequently instituted a civil action against Hon. Emeka Joseph Orji, who was then the Transition Committee Chairman of OSLG, rather than against Onitsha South Local Government itself.
The council said it thereafter re-entered and took possession of the property without incident and commenced the construction of perimeter walls around the premises to secure and protect the property.
It added that OSLG subsequently constructed a Fire Service Station on a portion of the property and handed over the facility to the relevant State Ministry responsible for public utilities for proper management and use.
According to the petition, Mr. Uzoeto has consistently avoided addressing his claims directly against OSLG through the appropriate civil proceedings.
Instead, the council alleged that he had repeatedly instituted or pursued complaints against individual staff members and functionaries of the council.
The council further expressed concern that Mr. Uzoeto had repeatedly approached different formations and units of the Nigeria Police Force, presenting documents which he claimed constituted title to the property and seeking police intervention in what the council described as substantially a disputed claim to land.
It said it was particularly concerned that such representations might have caused some police officers to act on what it described as an incomplete or untested account of the history and root of title to the property.
The council alleged that, on one occasion, Mr. Uzoeto relied upon interventions by officers of Zone 13, Ukpo, including ACP Danjuman and others, during which statements were allegedly made to the effect that OSLG had no legal status before the law or civil courts.
“The Council considered such statements, if made, to be highly prejudicial to the proper resolution of the dispute in the court,” the petition stated.
Similarly, the council alleged that an approach purportedly adopted by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (Force CID), Abuja, had resulted in repeated attempts to summon, intimidate or harass OSLG officials who, according to the council, were performing their lawful functions and duties on behalf of the local government.
The council stated that, on 7 September 2026, Mr. Uzoeto, accompanied by a large number of persons alleged to be armed thugs, invaded the council’s property at the location and allegedly commenced acts of demolition, including the demolition of at least one partition.
According to the petition, the intervention of officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Fegge Division, reportedly prevented further destruction at the time.
The council said it subsequently reported the incident to the Divisional Police Officer, Fegge Division.
“However, the Council was unable to obtain the necessary protection for its facilities at the location, reportedly on the basis that Mr. Uzoeto had previously approached Zone 13 and the Force Headquarters, Abuja, in connection with the matter,” it stated.
According to the petition, on 23 September 2026, Mr. Uzoeto allegedly returned to the property with a large number of persons, some of whom were reportedly armed.
The council alleged that some of the persons accompanying Mr. Uzoeto were carrying AK-47 rifles and were travelling in a Sienna vehicle.
“The persons allegedly accompanying Mr. Uzoeto overwhelmed the Agunanechmba operatives who had been deployed to protect the Council’s facilities at the location,” the petition stated.
It further alleged that Mr. Uzoeto directed the armed persons to commence the demolition of portions of the perimeter walls surrounding the Fire Service Station and adjoining council property.
The council said that, during the incident, approximately five partitions on the vacant portion of the property were demolished, while substantial damage was caused to the perimeter walls and other structures belonging to the council and the Fire Service Station.
“Photographs showing the extent of the alleged damage are attached to this petition for ease of reference and investigation,” the council stated.
The council also expressed concern over the authenticity and validity of documents allegedly being relied upon by Mr. Uzoeto, including a purported Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Irrevocable Power of Attorney and/or Deed of Assignment, which he has reportedly presented as evidence of title to the property.
In particular, the council said its preliminary examination of the documents had raised questions concerning the root of the alleged title.
According to the petition, the purported Irrevocable Power of Attorney and/or Deed of Assignment, as presented, does not appear to contain adequate recitals establishing a clear and traceable root of title to the property.
In view of these circumstances, the council requested that the police investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged allocation of the property along Silas Works Road to one Chief Odi Umolu by the administration of the then Governor of Anambra State, Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
It also requested an investigation into the subsequent procurement and issuance of the alleged Certificate of Occupancy, as well as the execution and use of the purported Irrevocable Power of Attorney, Deed of Assignment and other related instruments.
The council, however, clarified that it was not asking the police to determine disputed questions of title, which it acknowledged properly fall within the jurisdiction of the civil courts.
“The Council is not asking the Police to determine disputed questions of title which properly fall within the jurisdiction of the civil courts,” it stated.
Rather, the council requested an investigation into any criminal elements arising from the procurement, presentation or use of documents alleged to have been fraudulently obtained, as well as the circumstances surrounding the repeated destruction of public property.
The council requested that the Nigeria Police Force investigate, among other matters that may arise from the investigation:
a. The alleged malicious damage to council property on 7 September 2026 and 23 September 2026;
b. The alleged malicious damage to the Fire Service Station and other public utilities on 23 September 2026;
c. The alleged unlawful entry upon and destruction of structures on property in the possession and control of OSLG;
d. The alleged use of armed persons and threats of violence in the course of the incidents;
e. The circumstances surrounding the procurement and use of the purported Certificate of Occupancy, Irrevocable Power of Attorney, Deed of Assignment and other documents relied upon by Mr. Uzoeto;
f. Any alleged fraud, forgery, uttering or use of false documents, if disclosed by the investigation;
g. The alleged intimidation and harassment of OSLG officials in the course of their lawful duties;
h. Any alleged abuse or misuse of police processes for the purpose of intimidating, harassing or interfering with officials of OSLG; and
i. Any other criminal offence disclosed by the facts and circumstances of the investigation.
The council said the seriousness of the allegations, the alleged repeated destruction of public property, the reported presence and use of firearms during the latest incident, and the alleged continuing threat to the safety of council officials and public facilities warranted urgent police intervention.
“In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the repeated destruction of public property, the alleged presence and use of firearms during the latest incident, and the continuing threat to the safety of Council officials and public facilities, the Council respectfully requests that the matter be accorded urgent attention,” it stated.
The council further requested that Mr. Uchenna Sabest Uzoeto and all other persons reasonably suspected of participating in the alleged offences be invited and interviewed and, where the evidence so warrants, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
It said it was ready and willing to provide the police with all relevant documents, photographs, notices, correspondence, records of previous complaints, evidence of the council’s possession of the property and any other material required to facilitate a thorough and impartial investigation.
The council urged the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the investigation was conducted objectively and without prejudice to any pending or prospective civil proceedings concerning title to the property.
“The immediate concern of the Council is the protection of public property, prevention of further criminal damage, preservation of public peace and the investigation of any criminal conduct disclosed by the facts,” it stated.
The council requested the Commissioner of Police’s urgent intervention and appropriate action.
“Please accept the assurances of the Council’s highest regards,” the petition stated.
