Court Bars Gov. Abiodun From Demolishing Gbenga Daniel’s Mansion, Hotels
An Ogun State High Court has issued an ex parte order restraining Governor Dapo Abiodun and officials of the state government from demolishing or tampering with the Asoludero Court, the Sagamu GRA private residence of former governor Gbenga Daniel.
The interim order, granted on Tuesday by Justice O.S. Oloyede, also covers Conference Hotels Limited and its annex, both owned by Daniel.
The court’s decision followed a motion for an interim injunction filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, A. M. Kotoye, on behalf of Daniel and his wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel, against Governor Abiodun, the Attorney-General of Ogun State, the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority, and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development.
According to the Certified True Copy of the order, signed by Principal Registrar W. T. Ogundele, the court restrained the defendants, their agents, allies, and anyone acting on their behalf from demolishing, trespassing, or disturbing the claimants’ quiet possession of the properties pending the hearing of the substantive application.
Justice Oloyede said the order became necessary after examining the affidavit of urgency, noting that the court needed to take immediate steps to prevent possible irreparable damage.
The matter has been adjourned until August 19 for the hearing of the application for interlocutory injunction.
Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East in the Senate, had accused Governor Abiodun of political vendetta, alleging that quit and demolition notices were served on his properties on August 8, giving him three days to comply.
He described the allegations against him as “laughable” and “rooted in political vindictiveness of the highest order”.
However, Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Tunji Odunlami, denied any political motive, insisting that the contravention notices were part of a routine government audit of properties in GRAs across the state under its urban renewal programme.
Odunlami maintained that all affected property owners, including Daniel, were expected to present their title documents for verification, stressing that the exercise would be carried out in other GRAs owned by the government.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
