Politician Evicted from His Own House as Wife Uses Property for Loan Collateral

By Iyojo Ameh

A former governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the 2023 election in Benue State, Mr Ewaoche Benjamin Obe, has been evicted from his Abuja residence after it was allegedly used by his wife as collateral for a loan.

The house, located at Sagwari Layout in Dutse, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was reportedly built by Obe.

His wife, Christiana Obe, whom he married in 2006, is said to have taken the loan without his knowledge, leading to the property’s confiscation.

The incident, which took place on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, left the politician shocked.

He was on his way to Benue State when he received a call that security operatives had invaded his home and started the eviction process. Obe immediately turned back upon hearing the news and returned to Abuja, where he was presented with a court document detailing the house’s confiscation over the unpaid loan.

Speaking on the matter, Obe expressed disbelief, stating that he was not issued any prior court notice regarding the situation. He lamented that the house, which he built with his hard-earned money, was taken from him without warning.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing military personnel and police officers at the scene, with Obe’s belongings scattered across the street. The politician alleged that the eviction was orchestrated by his wife in collaboration with the authorities.

In a live Facebook video, Obe questioned how a court could confiscate his property without serving him any prior notice. He also mentioned that his wife had taken their son to an undisclosed location and had moved several items, including air conditioners, from the house before the eviction.

Obe further claimed that his wife, an officer in the Nigerian Air Force, had planned the eviction and that the court papers presented during the process appeared suspicious. A family member, speaking anonymously, confirmed Obe’s frustrations, stating that he had invested significantly in his wife’s education and career over the years, and this betrayal was particularly painful.

The family member also raised concerns about the legitimacy of the court proceedings and the involvement of security personnel in the eviction. They called for an investigation into the actions of those involved.

When reached for comment, Christiana declined to speak, stating that she was not obligated to provide any explanation.