Abia Hotels management petitions Police, DSS over sealing of hotel by Abia govt, pleads for urgent intervention
Abia governor, Dr. Alex Otti
The board and management of Abia Hotels Limited have petitioned Abia state Commissioner of Police and the State Director of Department of State Services (DSS) over the revocation of property and sealing of the Abia Hotel Limited.
The petition, signed by the managing director of the hotel, Dr. Patrick Ezenwaka, on behalf of the Board and Management, appealed to the security agencies in the state, to urgently move to halt the illegality been perpetuated against shareholders of the hotel.
The petition specifically 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.
Dated 15 November, 2025 and entitled: “Urgent Petition: Request for Security Intervention and Upholding the Rule of Law,” the petitioner 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 alleged existence of a subsisting court order that prohibits such arbitrary action.”
The petition reads in part: “Dear Sirs,
We, the Board and Management of Abia Hotels 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 14 November 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.
”Ensure Security and Prevent Breach of Peace: Direct your officers to secure the premises against any further unauthorized or forceful occupation, which could lead to civil unrest, confrontation, or the potential destruction and looting of assets within the Hotel.
“Use your good offices to liaise with the relevant parties to ensure the immediate unsealing of the property and the withdrawal of all non-statutory security/vigilante personnel. Allowing a lawful business operation to resume is vital to protect the jobs of 52 direct staff and numerous indirect livelihoods, thereby preventing economic hardship and potential social volatility.
”We are a going concern that simply desires to continue its commercial operations without fear of political intimidation or arbitrary seizure. We appeal to your neutrality and commitment to justice to ensure that the ongoing legal process is not undermined by actions that directly contravene established legal and contractual rights.
”We trust in your prompt and necessary action in this urgent matter.”
In another statement over the weekend in Abuja, the management described the action of state government as arbitrary, illegal, and sought public help to stand against political intimidation
In a “save our soul” message to members of the public, the management said against a subsisting court order, the state government went ahead to seal the hotel. This, the management said, is in disobedience to the court order.
Dr. Ezenwaka noted that for the state government to have a reason to takeover the hotel, it labelled it “abandonment.”
The management called on the public to discountenance the false narrative of “abandonment” and stand with them to seek justice against political intimidation.
The statement read in part: “The Board and Management of Abia Hotel Limited, Umuahia, announce today that they have taken decisive legal action in the High Court of Abia State, Umuahia Judicial Division, to protect the legitimate business interests, contractual rights, and goodwill of the Hotel against the unlawful and arbitrary actions of the Abia State Government.
“This action follows the recent public, unfounded allegation of “abandonment” and the subsequent, illegal move by the State Government to formally issue a Notice of Revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy lawfully issued to us by the Government of His Excellency Chief T. A Orji and deploy its officials to the Hotel premises, effectively attempting to halt all business operations.”
The management maintained that there was political undertone to the whole saga, stating, the state government led by Dr. Alex Otti, is desirous of cracking down on anything that has the imprint of opposition party in the state.
It asserted: “We are constrained to state that the political motivations behind the government’s actions are becoming increasingly clear. We are reliably informed that the anger of the Abia State Government stems from the fact that the Hotel premises was recently used to host an event ( THE RENIEWED HOPE PARTNERS) by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition party. This alleged hostility comes despite the fact that the APC fully paid the commercial rate for the use of the venue, which is a standard business practice for any hospitality enterprise.
“The unfortunate reality appears to be that Governor Alex Otti’s administration views the APC as its ‘mortal enemy,’ and has chosen to wage a political war against a legitimate private business simply because it maintained commercial neutrality.”
The management stated further: “Abia Hotel Limited is a lawfully constituted, operational, and vibrant joint venture that is neither abandoned nor derelict. It is a going concern that currently employs 52 direct staff and supports numerous indirect jobs and livelihoods in Abia State.
“Crucially, the government of Abia State is not the sole owner of this enterprise. The private investors, which the Board and Management represent, hold a significant 40% equity stake in Abia Hotel Limited. This fact underscores that the attempt to seize the property is a direct contravention of binding legal and contractual arrangements, including a subsisting twenty-five year lease with a residue of 17 years and a valid ninety-nine (99) year Certificate of Occupancy secured on behalf of the Hotel’s owners.”
In the court papers filed before the State High Court in Umuahia, by Anthony Onyenowu, Investment Guarantee Ltd and Randy Obinna Ukanwoke, Abia Hotel Limited is seeking several reliefs, including a declaration 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 Abia State Government, Attorney General and State Commissioner for Justice, Abia State Commissioner for Lands and Survey and Commissioner for Information are the 1st to 4th defendants in the case.
