The Renewed Hope Partner office of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, has been unsealed by Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the governor’s chief press secretary, released a statement announcing the development.
He clarified that the property located on Ojike Street in Umuahia had been unsealed in accordance with the governor’s orders.
Speaking further, Ukoha clarified that the office’s sealing was a part of a broader initiative aimed at properties that failed to comply with legal requirements rather than being politically motivated.
“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, brought the matter to the Governor’s attention,” he said. The unsealing was quickly carried out as the building’s paperwork was being regularized.
“As part of a general enforcement of court orders, the state Harmonized Task Force shut the property.
“This enforcement was a part of a general exercise targeting properties in default of statutory obligations; it was not politically motivated.”
The state government claims that the main focus of the enforcement was ground rent, which has been unpaid since 1982 and whose lease expires on December 31, 2025.
The CPS said, “A court order for the sealing was obtained after evidence of service of demand notices was presented, while the property owner failed to respond to demand notices requesting proof of compliance with payment of ground rent and other related charges.”
The statement also mentioned additional unsealed buildings, such as a radio station, a government agency’s property, and the late Sam Mbakwe family’s home.
