Oba Hotel Demolition: Matter Arising
Mr. Udoka, the Owner of Udoka Golden Point Hotel Oba, has reacted
Udoka Golden Point Hotel Oba Demolished Over Alleged Kidnappers’ Den, Owner Speaks Out.
By Okonkwo Samuel
Reports and videos circulating online have alleged that the demolished Udoka Golden Point Hotel and Suites in Oba, Idemili South LGA, was being used as a kidnappers’ den. The property, located along the Onitsha-Owerri road, is claimed to have contained well-partitioned graves, a shrine, and other suspicious structures. A video shared online suggested that the last floor of the hotel housed over 30 graves, along with items like a shrine, blood, and firearms.
The Oba Hotel demolition controversy has taken a new turn. Mr. Udoka Calistus Ejim, the owner of Udoka Golden Point Hotel Oba, has vehemently denied allegations that his hotel was being used as a kidnappers’ den. The hotel, located in Oba, Idemili South LGA, was demolished after reports surfaced of well-partitioned graves, a shrine, and other suspicious structures on the premises.
In a telephone interview with Daily News Reporters, the hotel’s owner, Mr. Udoka Calistus Ejim, denied the allegations and expressed shock over the claims. He explained that he initially rented the property 2021 from one Mr. Nwagbo, popularly known as Ichie Aja, who is reportedly the younger brother of the President-General (PG) of Oba. According to Mr. Ejim, he later purchased the hotel in 2023 after being persuaded by the seller, even borrowing money from a bank to complete the payment.
However, he revealed that disputes with Mr. Nwagbo began shortly after the purchase, alleging that the seller wanted to reclaim the property. Mr. Ejim suggested that the demolition might have been orchestrated by Mr. Nwagbo, possibly out of malice.
When questioned about the alleged graves discovered in the hotel, Mr. Ejim stated that the structure existed before he purchased the property. He claimed that the seller had described it as a fish pond at the time.
“I am not afraid of any investigation,” he said, adding that he’s already in Awka to report to the police and request a thorough inquiry into the matter, including questioning the seller about the controversial ‘grave’ structure.
On the allegations of a shrine, firearms, and blood found on the premises, Mr. Ejim vehemently denied them. “If anyone has evidence, let them provide video or pictorial proof,” he challenged.
Mr. Ejim also expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government’s decision to demolish the hotel, which he said he acquired barely three years ago. He criticized the authorities for not conducting a proper investigation before taking action and vowed to seek compensation for the damages incurred.
The demolition of the hotel and the allegations surrounding it continue to generate public interest, with calls for a detailed investigation to uncover the truth.
Me: The moment they published the initial story about Oba Hotel and 30 graves etc, I studied the whole thing and concluded that the members of new Security formation that went for that mission are lying having gone through their evidence both audio and video.
They didn’t even consider sealing off the property to give room for interrogation of their claims, but went straight with Caterpillar and pull the property down.
My point is that there should be enough time for investigation and proper interrogation of such allegations before going for the last game especially when we had in our record history such false allegations that led to destruction of a hotel like that.
My submission is that Governor Soludo should monitor this security team closely while we hail them. Power without control is dangerous.
So, if Oba demolition end up to be a false allegation, who will pay for the damages done to the owner of the property and image of the state too?
