Tears and rage have trailed the demolition of a multi-billion naira shopping complex owned by Engr. Bernard Anyanwu Nzerem at the Naze Junction in Owerri North, Imo State. The developer, speaking to journalists in Owerri on Monday, July 14, 2025, alleged that the destruction of his property—valued at over ₦2.2 billion—was carried out without prior notice by state officials acting under the directive of the Governor.
The commercial plaza, located at No. 1 Naze/Federal Polytechnic Junction off Owerri-Aba Road, was allegedly razed by the Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Engineering, Ikenna Elezianya, alongside the Governor’s Special Adviser on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri. According to Nzerem, the officials arrived with armed policemen and unidentified youths who brought down the complex using bulldozers while he was in Lagos attending a professional training.
Documents shared by Nzerem, including the Certificate of Occupancy and Power of Attorney, show the land was lawfully acquired in 2010 from MiTech Nigeria Ltd, a company which itself purchased the land in 1982 from Naze community. He said his ownership was endorsed by the seven clans of Naze and verified by former Commissioner for Lands, Enyinna Onuegbu. “This was not just a building. It was my life’s work,” Nzerem lamented.
The developer revealed that five of his staff, including a commercial driver, were arrested during the demolition and detained for five days at Tiger Base, a police detention facility. He further explained that over 60 young people were employed at the mall and have now been rendered jobless, adding that the ordeal has plunged him into psychological trauma.
Reacting to the accusations, Commissioner Elezianya defended the government’s action, stating that the site forms part of a new layout designated for Central Bus Terminals under Imo’s urban transport upgrade plan. “The land belongs to the government. Any structure on it is illegal. What Nzerem has are outdated documents that no longer align with current layouts,” he said. He added that the Ministry of Lands and the Surveyor-General, Bob Odidika Uzodinma, confirmed the site was under state control before the demolition.
Elezianya dismissed allegations of land grabbing and abuse of office, advising Nzerem to channel his grievances to the Governor rather than launch media campaigns. “His energy should go into petitioning the Governor for compensation, not defamation,” the commissioner stated, adding that media outlets should prioritize verified information in the public interest.
Nzerem, however, insists the demolition was politically motivated and an outright abuse of power. He is now calling on Governor Hope Uzodinma to launch an independent investigation into the demolition and ensure he receives compensation for what he described as a “calculated economic sabotage.” He warned that if justice is not served, it would set a dangerous precedent for other private investors in the state.
