The Ogun State government is facing criticism and legal challenges following the controversial vandalization of DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu Ode, owned by Yeye Olufunke Daniel, the wife of former Governor Gbenga Daniel. The vandalization , which took place in the early hours of Sunday, September 10, 2023, has been denounced as an act of executive recklessness, lawlessness, and irresponsibility.
In a press release issued by Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye, S.A.N. of PAGE Law Office, the legal firm representing Yeye Daniel, it was revealed that the Ogun State government ignored court papers served on its agents on Thursday, September 7, which sought to halt any actions on the building. The dispute began when the Ogun State Planning and Development Authority sealed the plaza on August 1 without prior notice. A quit notice was served on August 31, giving the owner three days to vacate the premises.
Despite DATKEM’s application for unsealing and regularization of the building, along with the payment of a mandatory fee of N500,000 to the Ogun State government on August 2, the government proceeded with the demolition, ignoring the ongoing legal process. Mr. Kotoye emphasized that evidence of this payment exists.
“We want to believe the State Attorney General’s advice was ignored on this matter,” stated Mr. Kotoye in the press release. “Our clients, as law-abiding citizens of Ogun State, will continue to seek redress in the courts. Even when our clients have suffered unimaginable and huge losses as a result of this illegal demolition, we will not relent in pursuing justice in the courts.”
Mr. Kotoye expressed the hope that Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, may not have been informed of this action, stating, “If he was informed and still decided to use the instruments of the State against our clients, it is nothing but executive recklessness.” The legal firm affirmed its commitment to pursuing justice for their clients in light of the controversial demolition.
The vandalization of DATKEM Plaza has ignited public outrage and calls for transparency and accountability in the actions of the Ogun State government. As legal proceedings continue, the incident remains a focal point of contention, with many demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the destruction of the property.
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Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
