The owner of Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe, Bayelsa State, has turned to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over an alleged debt of ₦625 million.
This debt has reportedly accumulated after a police SWAT team occupied the hotel for 13 months without payment.
The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, led by CSP Silas Adebayo, set up their operational base at the hotel beginning August 12, 2023.
The team’s presence in Opu-Nembe was allegedly requested by former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.
In a letter dated September 23, 2024, the hotel’s legal counsel, Inemoye Maxwell Brown Esq., warned that legal action would follow if the debt remained unpaid.
The letter was addressed to both the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
Brown stated that the hotel charges ₦25,000 per room per night and ₦100,000 per day for its conference rooms.
With no payments made for over a year, the total debt has reportedly reached ₦625 million.
“Our client’s business premises and facilities are almost in complete ruin,” Brown said.
He emphasized the need for a complete renovation to restore normal operations.
The lawyer’s letter demands that the police vacate the hotel within six weeks of receiving the correspondence.
It also calls for the payment of ₦625 million for the period of occupation from August 12, 2023, to September 12, 2024.
“We urge the Police IG to direct your officers, who moved into our client’s hotel without agreement, to leave immediately,” Brown stated.
He warned that failure to comply would result in the hotel taking legal action to seek damages for the condition of the property.
The arrival of the SWAT team in Opu-Nembe was met with criticism from local stakeholders and politicians.
Many residents viewed the police presence as an intimidation tactic ahead of the governorship elections.
Police authorities, however, claimed that they conducted operations resulting in the arrest of 11 youths, including a Point of Sale (POS) operator.
The community remains divided over the police’s actions and their impact on local businesses.
The extended stay of the SWAT team at the Euphemie Motel raises concerns about police practices and accountability.
Community leaders have voiced their apprehensions regarding the police’s lack of transparency and engagement with the locals.
“The police should work with the community, not occupy our spaces without any agreement,” a local activist said.
The hotel’s predicament highlights broader issues related to police conduct in Nigeria.
The unresolved situation has put significant financial pressure on the Euphemie Motel.
The hotel’s management reports that the ongoing occupation has led to lost business opportunities.
“Without the income from these rooms, we are struggling to keep the business afloat,” said the hotel owner.
Local businesses are closely watching this situation, as it reflects their vulnerabilities in dealing with government entities.
The hotel’s legal action has sparked discussions about the need for reforms in how police operations are conducted, especially regarding local businesses.
