HOTEL WAR: Woman Accuses MOPOL Squad of Refusing to Quit Onitsha Hotel Despite Court Order, N21m Debt

By Praise Chinecherem

A furious hotel owner in Onitsha has dragged the Nigerian Police into a fresh controversy — accusing a Mobile Police squad of occupying her 60-room hotel for years while allegedly owing her family more than ₦21 million in unpaid rent.

Mrs. Khadijat Chizoba Lawal, owner of Idoko International Hotel in the 3-3 area of Onitsha, made an emotional public appeal yesterday, begging the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and order Police Mobile Force 54 Squadron to finally vacate the property.

According to her, the police occupation of the once-bustling hotel has turned the building into what she described as “an eyesore,” leaving the property badly damaged and her family financially drained.

Speaking to journalists in Onitsha, the visibly distressed businesswoman claimed repeated efforts to recover the property and outstanding debt had failed despite court rulings and visits to top police authorities in Abuja.

“I have written petitions, visited the Police Service Commission, the police legal department and several offices, yet nothing has changed,” she lamented.

Lawal alleged that apart from the outstanding ₦21.6 million balance from a total debt of ₦50 million, her family has also been denied access to inspect the hotel as earlier agreed.

“We have not even been allowed to carry out routine inspection of the property,” she said.

Genesis of the Rent War:

The drama dates back to 2008 when the Anambra State Government reportedly rented the hotel as a temporary operational base for MOPOL 54 Squadron, Onitsha.

But according to Lawal, problems started after years of irregular rent payments.

Her family eventually dragged both the state government and the Nigerian Police to the High Court in Suit No. O/274/2016.

The matter was later settled out of court, with terms of settlement adopted as a consent judgment.

Under the agreement, the state government reportedly offered ₦10 million rent covering April 2021 to March 2022 — and promised the police unit would vacate the premises by March 2022.

But four years later, Lawal says the officers are still occupying the property.

Frustrated by the delay, the family returned to court and secured a Warrant of Possession authorising recovery of the hotel.

Yet, according to Lawal, the police squad has allegedly refused to obey the order.

Now, she is calling directly on the nation’s top cop to step in before the situation worsens.

“We urge the Inspector General of Police to ensure compliance with the court order, vacate the property and pay the outstanding arrears,” she pleaded.

As the standoff drags on, residents are asking one burning question:

How does a citizen recover property from the very institution meant to enforce the law?