Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, read riot act on property development in the state, warning that the state government would not tolerate lawlessness and the violation of state’s building codes.
The governor also denied any political motive in the partial demolition of DATKEM Plaza, Ijebu-Ode, owned by the wife of a former governor of the state, Mrs. Olufunke Daniel.
But an Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode, yesterday, granted an order asking the state government to maintain status quo and stay off the property belonging to wife of the senator representing Ogun East, Yeye Olufunke Daniel.
Abiodun, who formally reacted to the demolition and the attendant accusation after inspecting the 8-kilometre Mowe-Ofada Road, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state, said the partial demolition carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, was in line with the laws of the state.
He denied accusations in some quarters that the exercise was political, adding that necessary steps were taken by government officials when contraventions were observed in the course of constructing the edifice.
The governor noted that in Ogun State, and Nigeria, nobody was above the law, adding that the law that governed ordinary citizens, also applied to the VIPs.
“But for the fact you have ambushed me, I was not prepared to formally address that subject matter. And the reasons are very simple, we are a responsible government. We are responsible to our citizens. We are a law-abiding administration.
“I’m sure that everyone would testify to the fact that since I assumed office in 2019, I have ensured equity, fairness and upheld the rule of law. I have not in any way attempted to be vindictive or in any form or manner appear like someone, who is trying to witch-hunt anyone.”
But yesterday, an Ogun State High Court asked the government to stay off the property pending the determination of the substantiative matter filed before it.
The matter with Suit No: HCJ212/2023 was filed by DAKTEMS Enterprises Limited as plaintiff and he joined 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
It prayed the court for “an exparte order to restrain the defendants/respondents and their agents, allies, proxies, assigns, cronies, servants and any other person(s), however described, either claiming through them or acting on their behalf, in whatsoever manner, upon their authority/instruction, from demolishing the property known, being or lying at No. 62, ljebu-Ode/lbadan Road, ljebu Ode, Iiebu-Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State,” pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice herein filed.
“An order of the Court mandating and/or otherwise directing parties to maintain status quo, i.e. the position of things, as it were, as at the time of filing, hearing and determination of this application.
In his ruling, Justice N. O Durojaiye directed that all parties in the case maintain Status quo on the property as at today the 11″ of September, 2023.
