Patience Jonathan seeks arrest of ex-Bayelsa SSG’s over property demolition

Geneva, 10 May, 2013 Dame (Dr) Patience Goodluck Jonathan, First Lady of Nigeria and President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission and Dr. Hamadoun I. Touré, Secretary – General, ITU The Secretary-General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Dr Hamadoun I. Touré today appointed the First Lady of Nigeria and President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, Her Excellency Dame (Dr) Patience Goodluck Jonathan, as ITU’s Child Online Protection (COP) Champion. ITU/Rowan Farrell

The former first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, has written a protest letter to the Bayelsa State police command over the alleged demolition of a portion of her property in Bayelsa state.

She said the demolition of Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa located along Isaac Boro Expressway, Yenagoa, the state capital is illegal.

The demolition order was said to have been carried out on Friday by officials of the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board(BSPPDB) under the directive of its chairman, Alabo Gideon Ekeowe, a former secretary to the State Government.

Mrs Jonathan in her protest letter to the police is demanding the arrest of Ekeowe, accusing him of abuse of office and court processes, Daily sun reports.

It was gathered that the case of the property was already before the Bayelsa State High Court and the management of the hotel.

It was also learnt that the police were expected to respond to a motion on notice filed by BSPPDB, which carried out the demolition without the knowledge of the force.

Sources within Bayelsa State Government House said Ekeowe’s action had caused apprehension because Governor Douye Diri was kept in the dark about the development.

However, sources at the BSPPDB said the demolition was in accordance with the law setting up the body and reinforced the ruling of the Physical Planning Tribunal Development tribunal headed by Justice Emmanuel Ogola (rtd) which ruled in favour of the board.