MFM cries foul over demolition of regional headquarters

Penultimate Thursday was agonising for members of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM) Enugu. The 5,000-seater auditorium, which serves as the regional headquarters of the church few metres away from the Zik Avenue Bridge Uwani, was demolished by officials of the Enugu State Ministry of Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA). The church’s building, which existed for 15 years, was the first branch of MFM in the South South and South East regions. The Commissioner for ECTDA, Engr. Iyke Ugwegede, said the structure was illegal and not approved, saying the application for approval was considered and rejected in March 2012. Ugwegede added that the structure was built on waterways and showed many defects. But a statement by the chairman, Publicity Committee of MFM, Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh, described the demolition exercise as “nothing but the height of democratic oppression and it is utterly condemnable by all well meaning and discerning minds.” He maintained that structure was not in any way obstructing the flow of the river and it was not encroaching on government land as alleged by the commissioner. He demanded for unreserved apology from the Enugu Government over “the unwarranted act of wickedness meted to the church and its followers.” Bank-Olemoh pointed out that several other buildings on the same stretch of road where the church was demolished are still standing, saying “this leaves much to be desired of the motive behind the exercise.” He stated that with the relevant papers such as Certificate of Occupancy (CofO ) and approvals by the government in place, it was callous go ahead with the demolition exercise. Bank-Olemoh demanded for adequate compensations based on the alleged illegality of the action. Sources said the church put in a compensation request of N250 million for the demolished structure. Bank-Olemoh assured that all legal documents on the land and approvals of the building structure by the state government are available for perusal. The regional pastor of MFM, Kennedy Ogaranya, who was on ground when the demolition squad arrived, alleged there was more to the exercise than meet the eyes. Speaking last Thursday at the Lagos International headquarters of the church, Ogaranya said: “I believe there was an ulterior motive for the action.” According to him, the church obtained approvals for the building in 1998, 2002 and 2010 for expansion after securing Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) on the land. The 20 plots of land provided at Emeka Ebile road, Ogaranyi stated had been a subject of contention between the Ngwo and Amaechi communities. He said the church was working on taking possession of the new site and pleading for more time when the demolition was carried out. From Tne Nation Newspaper