This is why the Anambra State government destroyed the church structure of Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, known as Odumeje, according to Governor Charles Soludo.
Members of the state task team dismantled the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry church on Thursday.
“The prophet and the owners of other properties listed for destruction refused to comply with the government’s instruction,” Mr. Soludo said in a statement by his spokeswoman, Christian Aburime.
According to the governor, the church and other facilities along the river that are slated for removal were illegally constructed.
As of April 2022, the Anambra State Government has begun demolishing illegal structures along the waterway in Fegge and its environs within Onitsha, following the expiration of the more than two months’ notice served on developers and building owners who built several illegal structures along the waterway in Fegge and its environs within Onitsha, “he said.
As soon as news broke of the church being demolished and the clergyman being abused, the governor’s response was swift.
According to Mr. Soludo, the unlawful constructions have been designated since April 2022 and all developers and building owners have been presented with a warning to dismantle them.
Other than the church, he said that a number of businesses and surrounding fences had been torn down.
A videotaped incident of priest abuse occurred during the demolition exercise.
The video of the squad of task force personnel and vigilante operations savagely beating and shoving the reverend has gone viral.
Mr. Soludo’s statement, on the other hand, did not mention the cleric’s physical abuse.
For now, it’s not known whether the clergyman and others whose buildings were razed by the state government will be reimbursed.