Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, that the government had taken note of the efforts of President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo and Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey to calm the situation.

He however expressed concerns that reports indicated that the perpetrators of the act were unhindered and had a lot of time despite calls to the Ghanaian authorities by the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.

He added that further reports indicated that the security operatives who were on ground during the demolition, seemed to have been supportive of those carrying out the violation on Nigeria’s Sovereign territory in Ghana.

He however noted that the perpetrators had been arrested and arraigned in court and the government of Ghana had apologised and equally promised to rectify all the pending paper works that led to the misinformation of the Lands Commission in Ghana.

“The Government of Ghana has assumed total responsibility and with the apology, have made it clear that they will be responsible for restitution – rebuilding the building to the state that it was when it was destroyed.

“So, this is to say that the matter has been satisfactorily resolved and that at very highest level as I mentioned, President Muhammadu Buhari personally engaged in this process.

“The President of Ghana has apologised, those who carried out the action have been arrested and charged to court and the Ghana government has agreed to rebuild the property.

“So, we would like to put the matter to rest and to acknowledge the very speedy reaction of the Ghanaian government and to say that we will now continue to further strengthen relations between our two countries, take lessons learnt from what has happened and move ahead without recriminations,” Onyeama said.

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It was reported that the demolition started on Thursday with the Akachi tower, a monument built by the immediate past administration of Mr Rochas Okorocha and commissioned by the Vice president Yemi Osinbajo on May 17.

The tower which had the symbol of a hand on its zenith was erected on a dumpsite which was reclaimed by the Okorocha administration.

Sitting on a large expanse of land along the Owerri – Aba road, the monument had been a major attraction for visitors coming into the state from Aba.

Armed security men provided cover for the personnel involved in the demolition as caterpillars were seen bringing down the structures.

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Our correspondent reports that the state government had marked the structure located on the Challenge-Toll Gate road for demolition for allegedly contravening the state ’s planning laws.

But Ayefele had approached an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan seeking to stop the planned demolition.

Ayefele’s counsel, Mr Olayinka Bolanle, in an exparte motion, filed before the court, sought for an order of the court restraining the state government from demolishing the property pending the determination of the suit.

The crowd that gathered at the scene demolished building

Bolanle also stated that due process was followed in the construction of the structure while relevant approvals were obtained from the state’s departments and agencies associated with land and housing.

Justice I. Yerima ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent and adjourned the case till Monday for the hearing of the exparte motion.

However, the state government on Sunday demolished the structure.

Witnesses told our correspondent that bulldozers moved in at about 4.30 a.m. to commence the demolition while Fresh FM alerted the public on the development.

The government officials and equipment used in the exercise had since left the scene.

It was reported that the radio station had since been off air while a huge crowd gathered at the scene of the demolition as at the time of this report.

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