Court Orders Arrest Of Three Men Over Demolition Of N200m Building In Onitsha

An Onitsha Magistrate Court has ordered the arrest of three men accused of demolishing a building worth N200 million after they repeatedly failed to appear for trial.

374 VIOLATORS TO PAY N5m PENALTY, GET FRESH C-OF-O UPON PAYMENT OF NECESSARY FEES SEE LIST HERE

The defendants, identified as Ifeanyichukwu Chiekwu, 45, Ostia Okoro, 42, and Ugochukwu Mbaekwe, 52, are facing charges of allegedly pulling down a seven-room duplex under construction and owned by businessman Okechukwu Elowue.

374 VIOLATORS TO PAY N5m PENALTY, GET FRESH C-OF-O UPON PAYMENT OF NECESSARY FEES SEE LIST HERE

During the hearing, prosecuting officer ASP Hassan Ochoofu told the court that the accused men had been evading service of police charges and ignoring court notices in a deliberate attempt to stall the proceedings.

374 VIOLATORS TO PAY N5m PENALTY, GET FRESH C-OF-O UPON PAYMENT OF NECESSARY FEES SEE LIST HERE

Lawyers for the first and third defendants presented medical reports claiming their clients were unfit to attend court, but Magistrate Ukamaka B. Okoye dismissed the documents, describing them as repetitive and insufficient to justify their absence.

The prosecution further alleged that the accused had tried to intimidate the complainant and were unlikely to attend trial unless compelled by law.

Following the submissions, Magistrate Okoye granted a bench warrant for the arrest of the three men and adjourned the case to November 4, 2025, for continuation of hearing.