Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, has ordered Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, to unlock his Renewed Hope Partner office.
The governor’s chief press secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, made the announcement in a statement.
He clarified that the property on Ojike Street in Umuahia had been unsealed per the governor’s orders.
Speaking further, Ukoha clarified that the office’s sealing was a part of a broader initiative aimed at properties that were not meeting their legal requirements rather than being politically driven.
“The Federal House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, brought the matter to the Governor’s attention,” he said. While the building’s documentation was being regularized, the unsealing was quickly carried out.
The state Harmonized Task Force shut the property as part of a general enforcement of court orders.
“This enforcement was part of a general exercise targeting properties in default of statutory obligations; it was not politically motivated.”
The state administration claims that ground rent, which has been due since 1982 and the lease expires on December 31, 2025, was the primary focus of the enforcement.
“A court order was obtained for the sealing after evidence of service of demand notices was presented, but the property owner failed to respond to demand notices requesting proof of compliance with payment of ground rent and other related charges,” the CPS continued.
A radio station, a government agency’s property, and the late Sam Mbakwe family’s home were among the other unsealed buildings mentioned in the statement.
