By Ukpa Ewa
Ozo Damian Ejiamatu Enekwechi has denied allegations of forceful eviction levelled against him by his younger sister, Mrs. Ndidi Mbelu, describing the claims as misleading and politically motivated.
The clarification followed an earlier report in which Mrs. Mbelu alleged that she was unlawfully evicted from their late father’s residence at No. 25 Enekwechi Avenue, Ngodo-Nise, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
During a visit to the family compound in Nise, workers were observed carrying concrete materials and carrying out renovation work on the two-storey building.
Speaking alongside his younger brother, Mr. Celestine Enekwechi, Chief Damian, named after his late father, said the renovation was initiated following calls from family members to rehabilitate the property, which had deteriorated since 2005. He explained that the building consists of six flats that had been allocated to the children of the late Chief Enekwechi, most of whom have since moved out.
According to him, he informed his sister in December 2025 of his intention to renovate the structure before the rainy season and provided her with ₦1.5 million to secure temporary accommodation pending completion of the project. He further stated that their uncle, Prof. Emmanuel Enekwechi, also offered Mrs. Mbelu a temporary building to stay in during the renovation.
Chief Enekwechi denied entering his sister’s apartment or forcefully removing her belongings, insisting that the contractors were working strictly within the scope of renovation and had not tampered with her personal property.
He disclosed that he was invited by the police following a complaint and honoured the invitation, after which officers inspected the alternative accommodation provided for his sister. He expressed displeasure over what he described as delays to the renovation work, noting that contractors were working within a fixed timeframe before the rains commence.
“I have no interest in taking over the building,” he said, adding that he currently resides in his own private residence and only intends to make the family house structurally sound.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Umunwufor Family, Nise, Mr. Uchenna Alex Enekwechi, said the family was aware of the renovation and described it as necessary, urging Mrs. Mbelu to cooperate and relocate temporarily.
A family relation, Mrs. David Azugwo, clarified that a two-bedroom apartment located close to the family house had been provided for Mrs. Mbelu by their uncle as temporary accommodation pending completion of the renovation. She stated that the apartment has water and electricity, is comfortable, and is similar in structure to the flat currently undergoing renovation. She appealed to Mrs. Mbelu to relocate temporarily, stressing that the renovation was intended to improve the condition of the family house.
Another relative, Chief Obi Udeze, also stated that the house had deteriorated over the years and required urgent repairs. He confirmed that financial support and alternative accommodation had been made available to Mrs. Mbelu.
On his part, the site engineer, Mr. Chike Nkwocha, noted that renovation work commenced earlier this week and involved structural repairs, toilet installations and fencing. He emphasized that work on one of the flats had been slowed due to the presence of personal property inside but rejected damaging any belongings.
The matter remains under family management, with Chief Damian Enekwechi maintaining that the renovation is necessary to preserve the property and that all arrangements, including temporary accommodation for Mrs. Mbelu, have been made in good faith. Family members have appealed for her cooperation to allow the work to proceed smoothly.
