Soludo regretted Prophet Odumeje’s decision to take laws into his hands by trying to stop the exercise when a fellow priest cooperated with the task force
By Kehinde Okeowo
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has condemned the attempt by Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, a.k.a, Odumeje to prevent the task force sent to demolish his church from carrying out their duty, stating that the pastor will pay for the cost incurred in the demolition.
Soludo, who spoke on Friday night, noted that the owners of the demolished buildings were given adequate notices and told to remove the structures within a stipulated time.
The former Central Bank Governor (CBN) also stated that two other Catholic churches were part of the buildings marked for demolition.
ALSO READ: Why we demolished Odumeje’s church building – Soludo
The governor said, “It is costing us money. They had several notices to remove such structures, but they refused.
“The demolition started yesterday (Thursday), and so far so good. The demolition went well, except for Pastor Odumeje, who according to the report drove in, in a brazen manner and attempted to take over the equipment.
“Of course, state work must go on, and security had to stop him. This was a man who was in several meetings we had and also spoke.
“In fact, this is costing us money, and the structures should have been removed before now, but they chose to test the resolve of the government.
“Once we are done with this exercise, we will compile the bills and send them to the persons involved, and they must pay.”
Soludo, who regretted that Pastor Odumeje took laws into his hands, named the two other churches marked for demolition as St. Dominic Catholic Church and Our Lady Queen Catholic Church.
He further asserted that the parish priest of Our Lady Queen Catholic Parish was present when the demolition team visited and that he cooperated.