The owner of Euphemie Motel, a popular hotel in Opu-Nembe Bayelsa State, has vowed to take legal action against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over an alleged unpaid lodging debt of N625 million. The debt accumulated after the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team occupied the hotel from August 12, 2023, without prior agreement or payment to the owner.
According to reports, the SWAT team, led by CSP Silas Adebayo, set up their operational base at the hotel during a sting operation ahead of the governorship elections in the area. The team's deployment was allegedly requested by former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The hotel management claims that the law enforcement unit has continued to occupy the facility, using rooms and conference spaces without fulfilling financial obligations. Inemoye Maxwell Brown Esq., legal counsel for the hotel owner, warned that legal proceedings would commence if the debt remained unpaid.
In a letter dated September 23, 2024, Brown highlighted that the hotel charges N25,000 per room per night and N100,000 per day for the use of its two conference rooms. With no payments made for 13 months, the lodging and services rendered to the police force have accumulated into a substantial debt of N625 million.
Brown emphasized that the hotel's facilities are almost in complete ruin and require immediate renovation to return to normal business. He called on the Police IG to direct his men to vacate the premises within six weeks and pay the outstanding debt.
"Our client's business premises and the facilities are almost in complete ruin and a complete renovation is imminent. And it is imperative to restore their facilities to return to normal business."
"We, therefore, call on the Police IG to use his good office to direct your men and officers, who had forcefully moved into and occupied our client's hotel as described from 12th of August,2023 till date and counting in Opu Nembe to immediately vacate within six weeks upon receipt of this correspondence."
"That the sum of N625,000,000 only covering the above period from 12th August 2023 to 12th September 2024 be paid within six weeks upon receipt of the correspondence," he stated
If the debt remains unpaid, Brown stated that the hotel owner will seek damages through legal action. This development has sparked concerns over the police's occupation of private properties without consent or compensation.
Brown noted that if the correspondence from the law chamber, R.M Whyte&Co are treated with levity," we shall approach the Court to seek damages done to the client's property."
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