Abia court ejects fed information out of office over N1.8 million rent arrears

 www.odogwublog.com reports that the  Federal Ministry of Information has been ejected out of its Umuahia, Abia State office by an Umuahia Magistrate Court  over its inability to offset a two -year office rent arrears of N1.8 million.

Owner of the three- bedroom  apartment situated at No. 4 Azikiwe Road , Mr. Adizua Okorafor , had approached the court and sought an order for the federal agency to pay the indebtedness and vacate the office.

After months of legal fireworks, the matter was on February 19, decided in favour of the landlord.

According to the judgement signed by Chief Magistrate I. S Nwulu, the defendant was ordered to clear the backlog of rent arrears before giving up possession of the property on or before February 28.

A certified true copy of the judgement sighted by our Correspondent today in Umuahia read in part: " The defendant is hereby ordered to deliver up possession of the 3- bedroom flat with the appurtenances on or before the 28th  day of February."

The court also awarded a cost of N10,000 against the defendant .

 

Meanwhile, the plaintiff, Mr. Okorafor, emboldened by the judgement, Wednesday morning, took over possession of the property from the defendant  and put the apartment under lock and key.

When our correspondent visited the premises, some staff of the centre who looked bewildered by the development, were observed hanging  around in the neigbouring premises bemoaning their fate.

Head of Centre, Mrs. Edna Nkoro who confirmed the quit order said the key to the office had already been handed over to the landlord in compliance with the court judgement.

She lamented that the 16 staff of the centre had been compelled to go on " forced leave" following the ejection.

The Head of the Centre who said the office equipment of the Ministry including 20 computer sets, desks and chairs had been seized by the landlord appealed to the Federal Government to clear the arrears and renew the rent to enable the staff resume operations.