The story behind the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy which was issued to late Brigadier General Anthony Ukpo rtd. in 1998 and Deed of Assignment issued in 2001 to OGEYI PLACE HOTEL LTD which he was the Chairman of the company has now become a subject of political brawl between the former governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike and his political godson the incumbent governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara. On the 29th of December 2022 Nyesom Wike revoked the CofO then Deed of Assignment which was issued to the hospitality outfit and reverted the property therein as belonging to Rivers State Government. The 4- Star Hotel Le Meridien OGEYI PLACE LTD as it then was, got officially opened on 8th of November 2003 which had the former Military Head of Government General Abdulsalami Abubakar as the Special Guest of Honour while the then Governor Dr Peter Odili was Chief Host.

On 6th of June 2024, the incumbent Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara citing relevant laws for the Federation of Nigeria section 28(5)(a)(b) if Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 withdrew the revocation of the OGEYI PLACE HOTEL in Port Harcourt Rivers State. Thus rendering the revocation ineffective and the N5.5Billion property being returned to original Deed of Assignment owner. Brigadier Gen. Anthony Ukpo rtd died years ago during the COVID 19 period but his wife Mrs. S. Ukpo is a Director in the management Board of OGEYI PLACE HOTEL LTD. There were speculation about who wanted to purchase the OGEYI Place Hotel and allegedly the former governor was in the picture among others.

The hotel has 87 rooms with Triple A Gym section named after Former Military Head of Government General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Now recently there was a publication in the media space which was signed by Gov Siminialayi Fubara thus “ Land Use Act. Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004, withdrawal/Cancellation of Revocation of Rights of Occupancy on plot 319 GRA , Phase II, Port Harcourt Rivers State.

Whereas by a Certificate of Occupancy dated 20th July,1998 and registered as No.54 at page 54 in Volume 144 of the Lands Registry office Port Harcourt, Rivers State Government issued a certificate of Occupancy to Anthony Ukpo in and over all that piece or parcel of land measuring 2864ft at plot 319 GRA Phase II Port Harcourt Rivers State

“Whereas; by a Deed of Assignment dated 3rd August 2001 and registered as No. 50 Volume 272 of the Lands Registry office, Port Harcourt-, Anthony Ukpo assigned the property to. OGEYI PLACE Hotel Ltd.

“Whereas, by an official Gazette of Rivers State No 37 Volume 58 and dated 29th December 2022 the then Rivers state Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike revoked the aforementioned Certificate of Occupancy covering the above subject property; from Anthony Ukpo and OGEYI PLACE HOTEL LTD for the use by(Rivers state) Government. And whereas, in exercising of the powers conferred on me by section 28(5)(a)(b) of the Cap L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, all other powers enabling me in … Siminialayi Fubara GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria hereby withdraw the revocation of the aforementioned property.”

The property worth more than N5.5B is currently displayed on the real estate cum property market as Charlton Property wrote in published article” our company has been given the Power of Attorney and mandated to sell off the above most prestigious 5-star hotel in GRA Phase II Port Harcourt Rivers of Rivers state stylishingly the best in Class and patronage price is N5.5B negotiable title is CofO.”

There has been resentment about several properties allegedly being traced to a former governor of Rivers State including public property surreptitiously acquired in similar manner like this OGEYI PLACE HOTEL LTD.

-Emeka Amaefula