Patience Jonathan requests ex-SSG arrest over alleged unlawful demolition of property - Nexus News

Dame Patience Jonathan, Former first lady and wife of immediate past president, has sent a protest letter to Bayelsa State Police Command over the alleged unlawful damage of a section of her property, Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, situated in the Okaka area of the state capital.

The former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman of the State Physical Planning and Development Board, Gideon Ekeowe, led the destruction by state government officials.

The former Nigerian first lady, in her protest letter to the Police, requested the arrest of Ekeowe, over what she called abuse of office, criminal demolition and improper use of court processes.

It was also gathered, yesterday, that the request for the arrest of Ekeowe was instigated by the demolition of the hotel’s fence without permitting the management of the hotel and the Police responded to the court order arising from the motion on notice instituted by the physical planning board.

A source within the board, confirmed to newsmen that the protest by the former first lady was causing uproar and the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri seems to have washed away his hands off the action of the Physical Planning and Development Board.

It was discovered that such independent decision from Ekeowe has resulted to more than 78 cases of illegal demolition against the board

While some officials of the board stated that the action of the chairman was personal and as a result of past political rifts against the former first family, others stated it was based on misunderstanding.

It was also learnt that another property situated at Otiotio, which belonged to the first lady family, was also reportedly demolished illegally.

Efforts to get the Chairman of the Physical Planning and Development Board to speak on the issues were not successful, as he could not be reached.

But officials close to Ekeowe disclosed that the action of the physical planning officials was supported by the ruling of the Physical Planning Tribunal Development tribunal presided by Justice Emmanuel Ogola (rtd).