Editor: I am deeply worried about the demolition of houses allegedly used for kidnapping and other crimes. This is nothing but executive lawlessness. This has been happening in some states in Nigeria. If an apartment was used to keep a hostage, an investigation should be carried out to ascertain if the landlord was behind the crime. If it is proved beyond reasonable doubt that the landlord actually committed the offence, then the building can be pulled down after all the tenants have removed their belongings. But if the landlord is innocent, the state should go after the person that committed the offence and bring him or her to justice.
Even if the landlord’s son committed the offence, it is wrong to demolish the building because you cannot punish an innocent man for an offence committed by his son. It is a very serious negation to the rule of law. If a guest committed an offence in an hotel, should the hotelier be punished by demolishing the hotel? Is hotel not a public place for any person who can afford a room?It is the duty of security agents to know who is a criminal, not landlords or hoteliers. An Abuja -based landlord who owns houses in Lagos, Delta and Imo states may not know anything about his tenants. A responsible and law-abiding tenant today could be a kidnapper tomorrow. You cannot blame the landlord for this.
Some uncompleted buildings used by kidnappers as cells for hostages have also been demolished. Should the owners be guarding their uncompleted property? Did they commit any offence for not being able to complete their buildings on time? Is this democracy dividend? Are the kidnappers living in Pluto or Jupiter? No kidnapper would use his personal house as cell. It is high time the Federal and the state governments thought of what to do to stop the kidnapping instead of rendering innocent people homeless. Will any governor demolish a building owned by a chieftain of his political party?
The Presidency, NBA, AGF, the National Assembly and the various houses of assembly should look at this issue dispassionately to avoid anarchy.
Terry Odisu
Warri, Delta State.
