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From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The management and board of Abia Hotel Limited have urged the Abia State Commissioner of Police and director of the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene in the alleged unlawful revocation and sealing of its premises by the state government despite the pendency of a lawsuit before the High Court of the state on the subject matter in dispute.
In the said suit, marked HU/317/2025, the claimants, Investment Guarantee Limited and Randy Ukanwoke, listed the Governor of Abia State, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Abia State Commissioner for Lands and Survey and the Abia State Commissioner for Information as respondents before a High Court of Abia State, Umuahia judicial division.
They are, among others reliefs, seeking an interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents by themselves, agents (including the Umuahia Capital Development Authority) or whomsoever from demolishing any building or structure located within the premises of Abia Hotel Umuahia or howsoever, sealing the said property or any part thereof or otherwise obstructing the claimants’ workers, staff and hotel quests ingress into or egress there from pending the final determination of the substantive suit.
They further urged the court to declare that Abia Hotel Limited is the lawful leaseholder and rightful owner of the proprietary and business interests in the Hotel, particularly in light of the 40% private equity holding, and that the property does not belong solely to the Abia State Government, a declaration that the purported Notice of Revocation of the C of O and the forceful occupation of the premises by government officials and men of the Abia State Vigilante Service led by one Codr. McDonald Uba (rtd), are illegal, null, and void, among others.
The dispute bordered on alleged breach of a lease agreement between Investment Guarantee Limited, Randy Ukanwoke and the Abia State government.
However, in a petition to the State Commissioner of Police and the Director of DSS, the Managing Director of the hotel, Patrick Ezenwaka, lamented that the respondents have unlawfully sealed the property.
The petition which was written on behalf of the Board and Management of the hotel appealed to the security agencies in the state, to urgently move to halt the illegality being perpetuated against shareholders of the hotel.
Specifically, it requested their urgent and impartial intervention regarding the recent forceful sealing and occupation of the premises by officials allegedly acting under the direction of the Abia State Government.
The petition fated 15 November 15, 2025, with the title: “Urgent Petition: Request for Security Intervention and Upholding the Rule of Law,” it pleaded with the security agencies to immediately “intervene to ensure that all parties strictly adhere to the rule of law and respect the authority of the High Court of Abia State, particularly concerning the pendency of the matter in court.
The petition reads in part: “We, the Board and Management of Abia Hotel Limited, Umuahia, write to you as the Chief Security Officers of Abia State to respectfully request your urgent and impartial intervention regarding the recent forceful sealing and occupation of our premises by officials allegedly acting under the direction of the Abia State Government.
“On or about November 15, 2025, our legitimate business premises, Abia Hotel Limited, was sealed and occupied by state agents, including men of the Abia State Vigilante Service led by one Cdr. McDonald Uba (rtd.).
“This action was taken despite our status as a lawful, operational joint venture (40% private equity, 60% State) with a valid 99-year Certificate of Occupancy and a subsisting 25-year lease (with 17 years remaining). Crucially, this sealing action was carried out against a subsisting court order (as stated in the management’s statement).
“The matter is currently before the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division (Suit No./HU/317/2025, where we are seeking various declarations and a restraining order against the State Government’s actions.
“Our immediate concern is the maintenance of public peace, prevention of a breakdown of law and order, and the preservation of the sanctity of the judicial process.
“We respectfully urge your offices to: Uphold the Rule of Law and Judicial Process: Intervene to ensure that all parties strictly adhere to the rule of law and respect the authority of the High Court of Abia State, particularly concerning the alleged existence of a subsisting court order that prohibits such arbitrary action.
