Entrepreneur Kicks As Police Accumulate N612m Accommodation Debt In Nembe
3 min read
Edith CHUKU
Business activities in Euphemie Motel have remained grounded since August 12, 2023, when men of the Nigeria Police allegedly took over the hotel, situated at Bassambiri Town, Opu-Nembe in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Police led by Silas Adebayo, a CSP, were said to have forced themselves into the premises, took over the entire hotel and chased guests away in a bid to carry out what they called a sting operation in Opu-Nembe.
Over 13 Months after the said sting operation, the force supposedly remained in the facility which has about 50 rooms, three conference rooms, and an indoor and outdoor bar.
Aggrieved owner of the hotel, has sent a save our soul message to the Inspector General of Police, urging him to direct his men to vacate the hotel within six weeks.
The entrepreneur also demanded that the sum of six hundred and twelve million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira (#612, 250,000.00) be paid by the Police as accommodation debt. These were contained in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Luis Edet House, Centre Business District, Abuja, by the counsel to Euphemie Motel, Barr. Inemoye Maxwell Brown.
The letter read, “we act as counsel to Euphemie Motel, a company duly registered under the relevant laws with its business address situated at Bassambiri Town, Opu-Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State hereinafter referred to as our “Client” and on whose firm instructions we write in furtherance of our professional obligation.
“It is our brief that Euphemie Motel is a very busy fifty (50) rooms hotel selling for Twenty-Five Thousand Naira (25,000) only per night with Three (3) conference rooms of One Hundred Thousand Naira (100,000) only per day, an indoor and outdoor bar for relaxation in the heart of Opu-Nembe in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“It is also our brief that on 12th of August, 2023 the Nigerian Police Force code named SWAT led by CSP Silas Adebayo forcefully entered and took over the entire Hotel in their bid to carry out what they called a sting operation in Opu-Nembe thereby chasing out its guest and has remained in the Hotel for a period well over 13 months and counting after the execution of the aforesaid sting operation.
“Sir, our client’s business premises and the facilities thereat are almost in complete ruins and a complete renovation is imminent and imperative to restore what is left of their facilities with a view to return to normal business.”
Stating his client’s demands, Brown urged the IGP to, “use your good office to direct your men and officers who had forcefully moved into and occupied our client’s hotel as described above from the 12th day of August, 2023 till date and counting to immediately vacate the said Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe within six(6) weeks upon receipt of this correspondence.
“That the sum of six hundred and twelve million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira (#612, 250,000.00) only covering the above period be paid within eight weeks upon receipt of this correspondence to our client through it account.
“Finally, it is worth mentioning the confidence we have in the Nigerian Police Force to do what is right and necessary in this circumstance and in the discharge of its duties as donated to it by the Constitution of the Federation and the Police Act.”
He added that “however, in the event that this correspondence is treated with levity, we shall proceed to court where in addition to our prayers herein, we shall at that point seek damages for the damages done to our client’s property.”
