From Our Lagos Correspondent
Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has confirmed the demolition of DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu Ode, owned by Olufunke Daniel, stressing that the building “is an illegal structure without an approved plan.” The Ogun State Government had demolished the five-storey DATKEM plaza in Ijebu-Ode, owned by Mrs. Funke, wife of former Governor and current Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel. A source described the incident to Daily Trust as an act of vandalism allegedly carried out by some political thugs. “This is more of a case of vandalisation by thugs with a police cover,” the source said.
In a statement earlier on Sunday, the Project Manager and developer, Engr Olusegun Lawal, described it as a demolition by government officials.
Confirming the demolition in a statement, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Olayiwola Abiodun said the structure is illegal as it contravened the state’s physical planning laws.
The Permanent Secretary recalled the various incidents of building disasters across the country, adding that the Ogun State Government will not fold its arms and allow such occurrence. According to him, what the government did in partially pulling down the defective building was to be proactive.
According to the statement, DATKEM Enterprises Limited submitted an application for an office building located along Ibadan Road, Ijebu Ode, in 2009 with registration number CB/05/299/2009. He said: “The proposal was for five (5) floors with airspace of 3 metres at the right, 5m at the left, 5metres at the rear, and a setback of 32.5516 metres to the middle of Ijebu Ode/Ibadan road, Ijebu-Ode. “The Zonal Town Planning Office observed during routine monitoring that the construction on site did not conform with the plan granted as there was a deviation from the airspaces and setback”.
“Another Stop Work Order with Serial No. 001065 was served on 22nd July 2022 when the first notice was ignored.
‘It Is Nothing But Executive Recklessness’ – Gbenga Daniel’s Wife Blasts Gov Dapo Abiodun
Olufunke Daniel, wife of the former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, has reacted to the demolition of her complex in Ijebu-Ode by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s government. The Ogun State Government had demolished the five-storey DATKEM plaza in Ijebu-Ode, owned by Mrs. Funke, wife of former Governor and current Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel.
However, in a statement through her lawyer, Adeyinka Kotoye, S.A.N of PAGE Law Office, the former first lady slammed Governor Dapo Abiodun, describing the act as executive recklessness.
According to the statement, the Ogun State Planning and Development Authority scaled the building on August 1 without prior notice.
She noted there is evidence of payment, adding they were shocked that the state government ignored the legal process and demolished the complex in the early hours of today. The statement reads, “I want to believe that the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was not informed of this illegality. But if he was informed and still decided to use the instruments of the State against our clients, it is nothing but executive recklessness. But we will continue to fight for justice and ensure that our clients.
“This matter began when the Ogun State Planning and Development Authority scaled the building on August 1 without any prior notice. Interestingly, a quit notice was only served on August 31 by the same Planning and Development Authority asking the owner to vacate the premises within three days”.
He concluded, “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.”
