Owner of Kaduna restaurant demolished on false allegations of planning sex party loses pregnancy to trauma

Mrs. Aisha Mercy Yakubu, the Chief Executive Officer of Asher Kings and Queens Restaurant in Kaduna State, says she lost her one month old pregnancy, and properties worth N32m after the State Government wrongfully demolished the facility for allegedly planning to hold an immoral event – “Kaduna Sex Party”.

The 34 sitting-capacity restaurant, located at Kachia Road, Sabon Tasha, is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commision, with with the registration number BN2463851 under the Companies And Allied Matters Act (1990), to carry out Food Production and Processing Services.

It was demolished on Thursday without prior notice, despite confirming it had no links with the planned sex party.

Aisha who has repeatedly denied knowledge of the said party, revealed in a press statement on Sunday, that her staff and customers were arrested and released prior to the demolition, on payment of N100,000 bail fee, and another N20,000 for the tracking of the phone number on the event banner.

The Restaurant was a one-storey building structure, with a VIP Lounge section, where premium customers relax to watch football league games in a cozy environment, with all comfort; airconditioners and light music.

The ground floor had a kitchen and serving facilities, with chairs and tables for customers use.

The facility hires the VIP section for light events, of not more than 26 customers. 

On 26th December, 2020, said Aisha, a customer hired the VIP Lounge for a 15-man reunion/Clothing line promo, to appreciate his customers for their good patronage of his brands.

Before the event proper, Aisha said she noticed an unusual movement around the facility, which she soon confirmed to be armed securities seeking to takeover the property.

In her words, “We approached the main gate and on getting there I saw two truck load of heavily armed officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). 

“I asked the team leader what was going on but he ignored my question and said he will explain to me when we get to the Police Station, Sabon Tasha Division. 

“When we arrived the Police station, my customer, who accompanied me to the station, enquired what the matter was and the Police showed us a poster on a GSM phone belonging to one of the officers by name Inspector Felix.

“It was a poster of an event titled; KADUNA SEX PARTY, which the Police claimed the venue for the supposed “sex party” was scheduled to hold at my restaurant, even though with no address of where it will take place on the poster. 

“I denied knowledge of that event as there was nothing of that sort taking place at the restaurant and I wouldn’t stoop so low to entertain such illicit activity at my place, but the Police refused to belief me.

“They had my friend and two of my staff detained for one night, one day, until the customer that had earlier hired the place for usage on that fateful day was also arrested the next day. 

“They were released after paying a “bail fee” of N100,000 to Inspector Felix and one other lady Officer, fair in complexion.

“I noticed how incompetent the NPF were, i suggested to the them to call the number on the supppsed “Kaduna Sex Party” poster, which they immediately put a call through and a name came out using the True Caller App as MARVELLOUS AKPAN.

“The Police asked me to pay a fee of #20,000 for them to do their job of tracking the user of the phone number, which I immediately paid them so that they will swing into action. 

“Marvellous Akpan was arrested the next. He was interrogated and he obliged to owning the phone number on the poster and printing of the poster which was posted on Social Media, assisted by a friend of his named Noah and one other guy. On further interrogation,

“Mr. Marvellous Akpan confessed to the Police that he doesn’t know me and has never being to my restaurant nor have any knowledge of its address.

“Mr. Chimeze,who had hired the place was released, summarily, after the successful arrest of Mr Akpan. 

“The next day, while at the other Branch of my restaurant, at Court Road, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, a friend of mine called me asked me to go to the main Restaurant and see what was going on. I immediately went and saw a combined team of Police men, Soldiers, KASTLEA and Vigilante groups guarded a Pay loader to demolished my restaurant.

“No prior notice was served to me before the demolition, there was no any form of communication between I and the Kaduna State Property Development Agency (KASUPDA) who came to demolished the building structure. 

“Even when they arrived the location, the main entrance to the main Restaurant and the restaurant was under lock and key. There was no any form of communication to me ! 

“I watched them pulled down the building without allowing me remove any item before the demolition. As a result of the trauma, I lost my one month old pregnancy.

“I also incurred the following loses; cooking utensils, Furniture, Electric appliances, Chillers, Deep freezers, Bemarrings out door catering utensils, Cash, et al worth over N32 million, as the place was abruptly vandalised after the demolition.”

Aisha said she plans to seek legal redress for “defamation of character and malicious damage to property.”

Observers say she has a good case. However, if the case will be heard in Kaduna where the offense was committed, chances are that it will be influenced in favour of the government.

Rights lawyers might however be of help, to protect her and other citizens likely to face similar fate from the emerging precedent.