The governor, who supervised the demolition, said the action was taken because the operators of the hotels flouted the lockdown directive put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus.


National President of Revolutionary Lawyers' Forum, Tope Akinyode, has condemned Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, for demolishing two hotels in the state.

In a statement, Akinyode described the action as unconstitutional, despotic and a gross abuse of power.

He said, “Governor Nyesom Wike is not permitted by any law to arrogate the powers of the court to himself.

“Furthermore, the governor is not empowered to amend the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.

“The Rivers State Government under the supervision of Governor Wike acted pursuant to an Executive Order to destroy the properties today.

“However, it admits of no controversy that the power to determine the guilt of an offence and to issue penalty accordingly lies only within the courts. This is the whole essence of Chapter 7 of the Nigerian constitution which provides for the judicature.

On Sunday, Prodest Hotel, Eleme, and Etemeteh Hotel, Onne, were pulled down on the orders of Wike.

The governor, who supervised the demolition, said the action was taken because the operators of the hotels flouted the lockdown directive put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

On Sunday, Prodest Hotel, Eleme, and Etemeteh Hotel, Onne, were pulled down on the orders of Wike.