By Jude Atupulazi
The war has begun. I mean the war against criminality in Anambra State. This followed the launch by the Anambra State Government of a state security outfit known as Agunechemba under the code name of ”Udo Ga-Achi”. The only people who will not cheer this move are the criminals themselves and their cohorts. Even opposition politicians are happy. They are happy because the activities of hoodlums in Anambra State over the past one year had left both friend and foe of the government of the day cowering in fear as it was becoming a case of who was next.
For long, the Anambra State Government under Prof Chukwuma Soludo had seemed aloof as the criminals ran roughshod over the state. He was criticized, maligned and vilified from all quarters for snoring while his house burned. But at last, he has awoken from his deep slumber and launched this security outfit backed by a law passed by the State Assembly.
This was amid concerns by mainly opposition parties that this outfit may just become a tool for suppressing opposing voices and intimidating them. Even though they hailed Soludo for at last responding to the major challenge of the time, they are nevertheless imploring him not to allow the outfit to operate outside their ambit.
As the worried voices were resonating, the outfit wasted no time in swinging into action and, gbooom, we heard about the demolition of a hotel building in Oba, Idemili South LGA of the state, by the outfit, following reports that criminals were patronizing the hotel. During the demolition, government sources said they discovered thirty graves on the top floor of that building, apart from charms and a shrine there.
It was the story of the discovery of the thirty graves that understandably stole the headlines, with it being the major topic of discussion. Many questioned the veracity of that claim as what was seen in the pictures looked more like old fish ponds than graves.
Besides, it was wondered how graves could be on top of a building rather than outside on the ground. Some however also wondered what fish ponds should be doing on top of a building too. But then, many argued that it was more likely for fish ponds to be on top of a building than graves and that is the juncture we are at the moment, pending more clarifications from the government or the police (as at press time).
Besides that, the owner of the hotel came out to deny that they were graves and said those things were indeed fish ponds which he inherited from the previous owner when he bought the building. He also said the previous owners were approaching him to re-sell the property to them which he refused. Thus, he suspected that the previous owners might be behind the demolition of the building.
He was angry with the government for demolishing his property without enough investigations and vowed to take up the matter to get justice.
Now, many have been berating the Anambra State Government for hastily demolishing the building without due process being followed. What if at the end of the day it is proved that the owner was right? What will the government do after demolishing the building? Why didn’t the government seal the building to conduct investigations before taking further action? But even this line of argument has triggered further debates as some people, especially those in government, have been trying to justify the action.
What do you, my reader think? While I await your response to be published in the next edition, I’ll like to share a piece I stumbled into which is quite elucidating. Here it is below:
Beyond the Bulldozer: The Human Cost of Anambra’s Rush to Justice
By Damian Ugwu
“The fight against crime in Anambra State, while necessary, must be conducted within the framework of law and due process”
The recent demolition of Udoka Golden Point Hotel in Oba, Anambra State, following the alleged discovery of graves on its premises, strikes at the heart of constitutional governance, threatening fundamental principles of due process, human rights, and proper administration of justice. While the state government’s resolve to combat crime deserves recognition, the impulsive destruction of private property without thorough investigation or judicial oversight sets a dangerous precedent that erodes the foundation of our legal system.
The Oba demolition echoes a troubling precedent in Anambra State’s approach to law enforcement. A decade ago, the Upper Class Hotel in Onitsha fell victim to similar heavy-handed tactics. On August 1, 2013, following the alleged discovery of human skulls on the premises, government bulldozers reduced the multi-million naira property to rubble within hours – all without a court order or thorough investigation.
The hotel’s proprietor, Chief Mokwe, endured 88 harrowing days at the infamous SARS detention facility in Awkuzu, where he reportedly faced torture and inhumane treatment. The case took a dramatic turn when investigations revealed that business rivals had orchestrated the entire incident, planting the skulls to frame Mokwe amid a dispute over a motor park.
Despite his eventual release and the exposure of the setup, the damage was irreversible. A thriving business had been destroyed, jobs were lost, and an innocent man’s reputation was tarnished – all because the state government chose demolition over due process. This rush to judgment not only violated fundamental human rights but also destroyed crucial evidence that might have helped identify the true perpetrators.
From a criminal justice perspective, the immediate destruction of property following criminal allegations is deeply problematic. First, it destroys potential evidence that might be crucial for both prosecution and defense. Second, it presumes guilt before any proper investigation or trial, violating the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence. In the Upper Class Hotel case, the owner was eventually released without charges, but his multi-million naira investment had already been reduced to rubble.
The public health argument often used to justify such demolitions – that these properties pose immediate dangers to community health – requires careful scrutiny. If graves were indeed found at the Oba hotel, proper forensic investigation, documentation, and careful excavation would serve public health interests better than immediate demolition, which might actually release harmful substances into the environment and destroy evidence of potential crimes.
Moreover, these summary demolitions raise serious human rights concerns. Property rights are protected under the Nigerian Constitution, and any deprivation of these rights should follow due process of law. Human rights groups rightly criticized this approach as “clearly illegal and primitive,” noting that such actions create room for persecution and witch-hunting of political opponents or personal vendetta.
The economic implications are equally significant. Hotels represent substantial investments and provide employment to numerous citizens. Their summary demolition not only destroys private wealth but also creates immediate unemployment and reduces the state’s tax revenue. In the Upper Class Hotel case, the owner filed a N3 billion lawsuit against the state government, highlighting the potential financial liability such hasty actions could bring to the state.
Moving forward, Anambra State needs to develop a more measured approach to handling such cases:
First, allegations of criminal activity should trigger thorough investigations with proper evidence collection and documentation before any irreversible actions are taken. Second, property owners should be given fair hearing and the opportunity to defend themselves in court. Third, if properties must be closed due to criminal investigations, this should be done through court orders with clear provisions for protecting the rights of all parties involved.
The harsh and extrajudicial methods employed by Anambra State in its war against crime have consistently undermined the rule of law while failing to address the root causes of criminality. From the notorious Bakassi Boys – a vigilante group that Human Rights Watch documented as responsible for over 2,000 extrajudicial killings – to the controversial shoot-at-sight orders that gave security forces unchecked power to use lethal force, the state has repeatedly chosen dramatic action over sustainable solutions.
The current policy of demolishing properties linked to alleged criminal activities follows this troubling pattern. Like its predecessors, this approach sidesteps due process, violates constitutional rights, and most critically, has proved ineffective at curbing the persistent crime problems plaguing the state.
Despite decades of these extreme measures, Anambra continues to grapple with serious security challenges, suggesting that quick-fix solutions and extrajudicial actions are poor substitutes for systematic law enforcement and comprehensive criminal justice reform.
The fight against crime in Anambra state, while necessary, must be conducted within the framework of law and due process. As the Upper Class Hotel case demonstrates, hasty demolitions can serve as tools for settling personal scores rather than advancing justice. The Anambra and other state governments should learn from these experiences and prioritize thorough investigation and judicial process over dramatic demonstrations of authority.
When the dust settles, what matters most is not how quickly the government can tear down buildings, but how effectively it can build up and maintain a justice system that protects both public safety and individual rights. The wrecking ball might make for good theater, but it makes for poor justice.
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Your reactions are needed.