SERAP threatens legal action against Wike over demolition of hotels

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened to take legal action against Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike, for ordering  the demolition of  hotels in Eleme for flouting the state’s directives on restriction of movement.

The demolished hotels are Prodest Hotel, Alode in Eleme and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne.

Disclosing this on its official Twitter handle on Monday, SERAP condemned the demolition of hotels, describing the action as draconian.

 “We condemn the reported demolition of Prodest Hotel by Gov. Wike of Rivers state. Using COVID-19 to perpetrate human rights violations is executive rascality and Mr, Wike must stop this now.

“We’re taking legal action to hold him and his government to account for illegal actions.

“The demolition of Prodest Hotel is forced eviction and in violation of Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party,” SERAP disclosed via its official Twitter handle.

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The Rivers state government had earlier on Sunday, demolished two hotels in the state allegedly for violating the lockdown order in the state.

Governor Wike personally supervised the demolition of the structures accompanied by some government officials.

Wike had on May 5, charged traditional rulers to set up task force in their respective communities to enforce the closure of markets, hotels and bars across the state.

Also, on May 7, while inaugurating the state’s COVID-19 Local Government Task Force, Wike urged them to identify hotels and erring bars still operating during the lockdown for demolition.