Obi Slammed Catholic Diocese Over Wife’s Eviction, Demands Written Apology, N25M Compensation
By The9jaTREND
Human rights activist Comrade Osita Obi, based in Awka, Anambra State, has denounced the Awka Catholic Diocese for what he described as an “evil” eviction of his wife, Beatrice, from her shop in Awka nearly three weeks ago. The eviction, he asserts, was carried out under the guise of a court judgment.
At a press conference held in Awka on Tuesday, Obi recounted the traumatic episode: “About three weeks ago, the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi, arrived at my wife’s shop at No. 27 Secretariat Road, accompanied by a bailiff. They scattered her goods, threw them into the rain, and destroyed the shop. Nothing could be salvaged.” He estimates the loss at over N5 million, and condemned the manner of eviction as both cruel and indefensible.
Obi explained that the sequence of events began way back on June 15, 2022, when police from the Awka Area Command arrested his wife following a petition alleging criminal trespass, kidnapping, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. The petition, he said, was never shown to them, and it was only upon checking court records, including a judgment purportedly authorizing the eviction, that they learned the Diocese had filed the original complaint.
He emphasized that his wife, a Chartered Accountant and former Deputy Director at the Federal Inland Revenue Service, had lawfully rented the shop from Mr. Chidi Osakwe after relocating to Awka. “If Osakwe was disputing ownership with the Diocese, that should have been between them,” he asserted. “They should have informed us officially, not used force.”
He lamented that neither he nor his wife, nor four other tenants in the building, received any court notice. “They deceived the court and obtained a kangaroo judgment. Then, they came in with a bailiff and destroyed our livelihoods.” Obi clarified: “I’m not opposed to the Catholic Church, but I stand firmly against the Awka Catholic Diocese for the harm they have caused.”
Obi revealed court documents showing that the Diocese and its Property Manager, Rev. Fr. Nicodemus Izuchukwu, sued “Unknown Persons” in Suit No. MAW/971/2024 at the Chief Magistrate Court in Awka. They claimed the right to possession of the apartments, rooms, and shops at No. 27 Seaman Avenue/Secretariat Road, serving a seven-day notice dated August 29, 2024. On July 10, 2025, Senior Magistrate E.C. Chukwuma delivered judgment granting the Diocese immediate possession due to defendants’ absence and failure to vacate.
He countered that the proceedings were a sham: “No notices, no court papers served. The judgement was obtained secretly, and enforced brutally. They destroyed my wife’s property in the rain under Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi’s supervision.”
He is now demanding a written apology and N25 million compensation for the losses and trauma, noting that his wife is hospitalized in Enugu from the shock. “If they don’t comply within two weeks, I’ll pursue legal redress, even taking this to the Vatican if necessary,” Obi declared. “I will never accept a replacement shop, this is about justice, not charity.”
Obi added, “I’ve requested the final police report from the Awka Area Command concerning the kidnapping allegations. Until I receive it, I’ll withhold judgment on their conduct.”
