Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State – In a recent development, the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday, issued an order demanding that the Ogun State government maintain the status quo and refrain from further actions on a property owned by Yeye Olufunke Daniel, the wife of Senator representing Ogun East. This decision follows the government’s partial demolition of a five-storey building located along Folagbade road in Ijebu Ode on Sunday.
The Ogun State government, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olayiwola Abiodun, justified its actions, claiming that the building violated the state’s building codes and had numerous structural defects. Abiodun emphasized the government’s commitment to upholding building regulations and preventing illegal constructions.
Governor Abiodun, while inspecting the Mowe-Ofada Road in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, denied any political motives behind the partial demolition of the DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu-Ode. He stated that his administration had consistently promoted equity, fairness, and the rule of law since he assumed office in 2019, and he had no intention of pursuing a vindictive agenda.
Refuting the allegations circulating on social media, Abiodun stressed the importance of adhering to building codes and regulations, citing examples from the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos where illegal constructions faced demolition.
However, the Ogun State High Court, presided over by Justice N. O. Durojaiye, issued an order requiring the government to refrain from further actions on the property pending the determination of the case. The case, with the Suit No: HCJ212/2023, was filed by DAKTEMS Enterprises Limited as the plaintiff, and it named the Governor of Ogun State, Attorney General of Ogun State, Ogun State Planning & Development Permit Authority and Urban Development, as well as Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning, as defendants.
The court granted an “ex parte order” restraining the defendants from demolishing the property located at No. 62, Ijebu Ode/Ibadan Road, Ijebu Ode, Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State, and directed all parties to maintain the status quo on the property as of September 11, 2023. The court also set a date for the hearing of the motion for Interlocutory Injunction on September 27, 2023.
In response to the court’s ruling, Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye, counsel for Yeye Olufunke Daniel, accused the Ogun State government of ignoring court papers served on them on September 7, 2023, and proceeding with the vandalism and demolition of the complex. He vowed to seek justice and challenge what he termed the “executive recklessness” of Governor Abiodun, emphasizing their commitment to fighting for justice through legal means.
