By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Human Rights activist and Coordinator of Recover Nigeria Project (RNP), Comrade Osita Obi has issued a two weeks ultimatum to the Catholic diocese of Awka to apologize and pay him compensation of N25M million over illegal eviction and destruction of his wife’s property.
Obi stated this at a press conference held in Awka the Anambra state capital.
He condemned the action of the Catholic diocese of Awka which on Thursday 31st July 2025, forcefully evicted his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Obi and five other occupants of shops located at number 27 Secretariat road Awka without notice nor service of any court documents.
Obi described the step taken by the diocese as wicked, evil and a replica of Lucifer for lying and being economical with the truth about the entire matter.
According to Obi, the Catholic diocese of Awka is not better than Boko Haram and bandits saying that he rather deal with Lucifer than with the Catholic diocese of Awka.
He pointed out that the church is supposed to be of help to people than going the way it did to his wife and other occupants of the shop complex.
“Catholic diocese of Awka is not better than Boko Haram and bandits. Their narrative is coloured with evil and I am going to expose them. They went through the back door and went to the judiciary that is corrupt,” he said.
“I am demanding for public apology and a compensation of N25million. I will even take the incident to the Vatican. I am going to condemn it no matter the lie connection.”
“I am consulting with my lawyer to sell redress because the Catholic diocese of Awka has sent my wife to hospital because of the incident. My wife has been hospitalized. The Catholic diocese of Awka has to pay me N25million,” he stated.
On whether he will consider taking back the shop as being proposed by he diocese, Comrade Obi insisted that he cannot take back the shop because they (Catholic diocese of Awka) petitioned the police on 16th June 2022 alleging that his wife was aiding and abetting kidnappings and other criminal matters.
“We can no longer continue to console evil. The Catholic diocese of Awka reflects evil. Remember, I am not against the Catholic Church but I am against the Catholic diocese of Awka. I am not contesting the ownership of the property but the destruction of my wife’s shop without proper or legal notice.”
Findings showed that the notice of eviction from the shops were pasted same day the team of Police, the court officials and the bailiff came for execution of the order of court.
In a judgment by Snr. E.C Chukwu of the Senior Magistrate Grade 11 Awka on Thursday 10th July 2025, in a suit MAW/971/ 2024 between Registered Trustees of the Catholic diocese of Awka, Rev. Fr. Nicodemus Izuchukwu (Awka diocese Property Manager) as plaintiffs versus Unknown Persons (defendant), the court ruled that PW1, Okeke Mmaduabuchi Leonard, a bailiff attached a CMC Awka stated that he served a notice to quit, a seven days owner’s intention to recover possession and a writ of summons and claim on the defendant through pasting on the defendant’s front door after two failed attempts at personal service and tendered same as Exhibit A and B respectively.
He stated that he served on the defendant two hearing notices at same address through pasting. That he deposed to an affidavit of service in the court’s file and the plaintiff’s attorney acted as a pointer. PW1 was discharged.
Chukwu further ruled that PW2, Rev Fr. Nicodemus Izuchukwu, stated that he is the priest given the authority to manage the property at No. 27 Seaman Avenue/Secretariat Road, property of Catholic diocese of Awka.
According to the Magistrate, the former priest managing the property died and as a result of that some unknown persons came and occupied the said property.
That every attempt made to evict then proved abortive. That the plaintiff wants to make personal use of the said property. That the defendant was duly served with the appropriate notice but he failed to appear in court to answer to the claims against him. He therefore prayed the court to grant judgment to the plaintiff as per him claim.”
“Despite proof of service in the court’s file, the defendant did not take any step to defend the claim against him.
“It is trite law that pieces of evidence that are unchallenged are deemed admitted in law. The case of Iheanacho Vs Ugochukwu 1999 2 NWLR Pt. 489, 257 and 269 is quite instructive in this regard. Accordingly, I shall grant the claims of the plaintiff,” he declared.
“Therefore, immediate possession of apartment/rooms/shops with its appurtenances thereto situate at No. 27 Seaman Avenue/Secretariat Road, property of Catholic Diocese of Awka within Awka Magisterial District, is hereby granted to the plaintiff,” he added.
