PWD demand justice for 66-year-old visually impaired man whose house was destroyed

Enugu State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), on Thursday demanded justice for a 66-year-old visually impaired man, Mr Anibueze Nnadi, whose house was demolished by a traditional ruler. Comrade Onyebuchi Mba, its chairman, told newsmen in Enugu that the traditional ruler of Ihekwuenu-Aku Autonomous Community in Igboetiti Local Government Area of the state, Mr Christopher Okwor, demolished Nnadi’s house, while under construction. He alleged that Okwor claimed ownership of the land while a philanthropist, Mr Okechukwu Ezemagu, was constructing a two-bedroom apartment for Nnadi and employed thugs to demolish the structure. He said the matter was reported to the police, but nothing was done. Mba said the former governor of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, also waded into the matter and suspended the traditional ruler. He said the historical reports indicated that the land currently being utilised by Okwor for his own residence was given to Okwor’s family by Nnadi’s family as an act of benevolence. He said a second attempt by the philanthropist’s family and those of citizens of Umuezike to reconstruct the house was rebuffed by the suspended traditional ruler. “We strongly condemn in totality, the unrelenting demolition of Nnadi’s house as he is visually impaired and also battling with prostrate health issues. “We are deeply concerned that such a vulnerable member of society has been subjected to such acts. “We call on the relevant authorities, Human Rights groups and Civil Society Organisations to take immediate action to ensure that those responsible for this appalling act are held accountable for their actions,’’  Mba said. In his remarks, Nnadi narrated his hurdles in the hands of youths engaged to demolish his house. He said the youths pulled him out of the house and manhandled him. When contacted, Okwor refused to comment on the matter as he ordered newsmen out of his house. When contacted also, Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Okey Ogbodo, said the state government had set up an investigative panel on the matter. He assured that government would make its findings public after the panel had completed its assignment. “As a matter of fact, I held a meeting with the two sides on Wednesday and we appealed for peace and enjoined both sides not to do anything that could aggravate the issue. “It is a community matter and we want to find out the root cause of the problem,’’ Ogbodo told the News Agency of Nigeria.