The Private Developers Alliance (PDA) has cautioned against using of media to undermine Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe, MD of Toshel construction company, following a May 2024 incident where Mr. Nzekwe’s driver inadvertently drove on a newly paved road constructed by Eketeson.
The association criticized these media attacks as frivolous and unfounded, pointing to the misrepresentation of events surrounding the contentious arrest of Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe, Managing Director of Toshel Construction Company Ltd. They asserted that Mr. Okechukwu Offor, the driver involved, who previously worked for Mr. Eketeson, was violently assaulted by security personnel under Mr. Ekete’s orders after the incident.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by the association’s president, Engr. Dr. Stanley Ogbuka, the PDA emphasized that Mr. Offor’s injuries were the result of unwarranted aggression, rather than an intentional plot to tarnish Eketeson Construction’s name. The statement further clarified that Mr. Offor, who left Eketeson after being owed six months’ salary, had acted without malice during the incident and was simply fulfilling his duties as a driver for Toshel.
The PDA also condemned Mr. Nzekwe’s arrest in September 2024, labeling it unlawful and politically motivated. They expressed concern that the warrant issued by the magistrate court lacked legitimacy and seemed part of a larger campaign to discredit Mr. Nzekwe in the construction industry.
The Private Developers Alliance (PDA) reaffirmed its support for Mr. Nzekwe and Toshel Construction Company Ltd, urging an end to the unfounded attacks and calling for all parties to pursue a legal resolution instead of resorting to media battles.
The association highlighted the necessity of upholding ethical standards in the industry to ensure fairness and justice for all stakeholders, noting that Toshel Construction Company is widely recognized for its commitment to these values.
The statement reads:
PRESS RELEASE: A Rebuttal to the Slanderous Campaign Against Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe and Toshel Construction Company Ltd.
We, the Nigerian Realtors Integrity Association, categorically deny the baseless allegations and malicious attacks leveled by Mr. Donatus Eketeson, CEO of Eketeson Construction Company Ltd, against Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe, Managing Director of Toshel Construction Company Ltd. These defamatory actions aim to sully the flawless reputation of Mr. Nzekwe and his company through unfounded media campaigns following the unfortunate events of May 28, 2024.
On that day, Mr. Okechukwu Offor, a driver employed by Toshel Construction Ltd and a former employee of Eketeson Construction, was brutally assaulted by armed security personnel acting on Mr. Eketeson’s orders. Mr. Offor’s only mistake was accidentally driving on the newly asphalted New-Artisan Road, a project overseen by Eketeson Construction. This unprovoked attack left him severely injured, nearly costing him his life, and he required emergency treatment at the State CID clinic. Mr. Offor is still recuperating from the serious injuries sustained during the assault.
It’s crucial to understand that Mr. Offor had resigned from Eketeson Construction due to being owed six months’ salary, a clear violation of labor law. His decision to join Toshel Construction was legitimate and without malice. Nevertheless, in a desperate effort to evade accountability for the attack on Mr. Offor, Mr. Eketeson has misrepresented the events of May 28, 2024, fabricating a narrative of conspiracy against his reputation. These allegations are not only false but also an attempt to obscure Mr. Eketeson’s own misconduct.
To exacerbate the situation, on Friday, September 30, 2024, Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe was unjustly arrested under questionable circumstances and detained at the Enugu Correctional Center, treated like a common criminal. This arrest, supposedly based on a magistrate court warrant, is highly suspect and merits a thorough investigation. The circumstances surrounding this arrest indicate it was orchestrated by Mr. Eketeson to further damage Mr. Nzekwe’s reputation and undermine his public standing.
Toshel Construction Company Ltd has consistently maintained the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and quality in its operations. No amount of spurious media campaigns or malicious tactics will undermine a company that has remained steadfast in its commitment to excellence. Toshel Construction will continue to be a pillar of quality and reliability in the construction industry.
The allegations that the events of May 28 were orchestrated to undermine Mr. Eketeson’s credibility are utterly false and defamatory. They serve only to distract from Mr. Eketeson’s failure to fulfill his obligations to Mr. Offor, who continues to suffer from the injuries inflicted at his command. Attempts to shift the blame will not prevail against the truth.
We strongly condemn the use of violence to resolve personal or professional disputes. The Nigerian Realtors Integrity Association will persist in seeking justice for both Mr. Nzekwe and Mr. Offor. Legal proceedings are underway to challenge the validity of Mr. Nzekwe’s detention, and we are dedicated to ensuring that those responsible for the attack on Mr. Offor are held accountable. No individual should be allowed to manipulate the legal system for personal gain or to escape the consequences of their actions.
We hereby declare that the malicious efforts to tarnish the integrity of Mr. Tochukwu Nzekwe and Toshel Construction Company Ltd will not succeed. We stand firmly with Mr. Nzekwe and will not waver in our pursuit of justice. The public deserves to know the truth, and we will ensure that justice is served.
Signed,
Engr Dr Stanley Ogbuka
Nigerian Realtors Integrity Association”
