by Jude Michael
The Catholic Diocese of Awka says it did not participate in the eviction of Illegal occupants of property belonging to it.
The Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev Fr Charles Ndubuisi made this submission in a press conference organized by the Diocese on Wednesday August 12, in a reaction to news circulating on social media regarding the execution of a court judgment in a property belonging to the Diocese.
He stressed that the Diocese values harmonious and peaceful co-existence, appealing to the affected individuals to embrace peace and dialogue.
Fr Ndubuisi, who however, expressed sympathy to the affected individuals, gave an insight into the circumstances surrounding the eviction.
‘Before going into the main issue, may I use this medium to reach out to those affected by the execution of court order effected by the bailiff and his team.
‘As a Church, we did not participate in the execution of the court order.
‘If we did, maybe we would have handled things differently. As a Church, we value harmonious and
peaceful co-existence.
‘To demonstrate empathy and love, those evicted who had reached out to us, have been directed to approach equity law office, our legal arm, to sign tenancy agreement with the Diocese, having recognized the rightful owner of the said property.
‘Once again, we urge others who have not come to embrace dialogue and peace.
‘At this point, it is important to note that the said property belongs to the registered Trustee
of the Catholic Diocese of Awka.
‘It was started by the late Msgr. Martin Ezeokoli, as his place of retirement.
‘When it became difficult for him to finish it, he had agreement with the Diocese to finish the building, in such a way that at his demise, the said property would become that of the Catholic Diocese of Awka.
‘This was clearly stated in his will and in the
Memorandum of Understanding between the Catholic Diocese of Awka and the late Msgr.
Martin Ezeokoli.
‘On his demise, the Diocese had a good understanding with the siblings and entire family of Ezeokoli, in accordance with the ethics and standard of the Catholic Diocese of Awka.
‘Few days after the demise of the late Msgr. Ezeokoli, an intruder, one Mr. Chidi Osakwe, forcefully entered into the facility against the will of the new owners, the Catholic Diocese of Awka.
‘It was alleged that he hired the property out to tenants.
‘To be civil and humane, the Diocese decided to use court processes, to evict them, using the legal arm of the Diocese.
‘For record purposes, the intruder and unknown tenants occupying the property illegally,
were served quit notice by the court.
‘There were two suits, firstly against Mr. Chidi
Osakwe. The second suit was against the unknown persons in the property.
‘We were reliably informed by our legal unit but none of these persons complied with the notice.
‘Afterwards, 7 days owner’s intention notice meant to recover possession was served to both the intruder and unknown persons in the house.
‘By this notice, they were given only 7 days to vacate the said apartment.
‘At the expiration of the 7 days owner’s intention, the claim against Mr. Chidi Osakwe and those unknown persons was filed requesting the court
to order for immediate possession of the property.
‘The Court delivered judgment in favor of
the rightful owner of the property.
‘Finally, there was a court order for the execution of the judgment.
‘The bailiff based on that enforced and executed the judgment.
‘The bailiff did that because the court granted execution order.
‘It is important at this point to note that the intruder Chidi Osakwe did not participate in the court process.
‘He jumped bail and so he is on the run. There is a bench warrant to arrest him anywhere.
‘We once more sympathize with those affected by this execution of judgment, especially those who were deceived by the mischief maker Chidi Osakwe.
‘Those who have approached the Diocese have been given opportunity to sign tenancy agreement with the legal department, in such a way that they could now become our tenants, having recognized the rightful owners of the property.
‘Our hands are wide open to welcome others who have not reached out to us and we encourage them to do so,’ the Chancellor concluded.
