Controversy over alleged demolition of Gbenga Daniel’s five-storey plaza in Ijebu-Ode by Ogun govt. Allegedly destroyed with the plaza is a banking hall fully fitted with bank trap doors, CHUBB strong room, a Kone elevator, 80 brand new split air-conditioners, a 150 KVA generator set, a transformer and firefighting system.
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The rift between former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, and the incumbent, Dapo Abiodun, got messier on Sunday when the Ogun State government allegedly demolished a 5-storey DATKEM plaza in Ijebu-Ode, owned by Yeye Olufunke Daniel, wife of Daniel.
There is no love lost between Daniel, who is now Senator representing Ogun East in the National Assembly and Abiodun.
TheNiche gathered that the mall, located on Folagbade Street in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, was demolished within three days of notification.
However, while the project manager and developer, Olusegun Lawal, claimed in a statement on Sunday that the plaza was demolished, another aide to Daniel, Steve Oliyide, claimed it was vandalised.
Lawal said the plaza is an iconic, solid structure with full approval, whose construction started in 2009 and was scheduled for commissioning at the end of September.
He said the ground floor and mezzanine is a banking hall fully fitted with bank trap doors, and CHUBB strong room, adding that it had a Kone elevator installed by Kresta Laurel Limited, another company owned by Senator Daniel.
READ ALSO: Alleged fraud: DSS quizzes another CBN deputy governor, Aisha Ahmad
The Project Manager said about 80 brand new split air-conditioners just completely installed by Holomicool Nigeria Limited were also destroyed alongside the building with a 150 KVA generator set and transformer.
A firefighting system installed by Flory Limited and external cladding being completed by Vertex Nigeria Limited also went down.
Speaking on the reasons adduced by the state government for the demolition, Lawal said: “Not enough parking space (front of Building is Folagbade Street, sided by two (2) undeveloped streets which is being prepared by the Developers to be tarred to support parking while the empty piece of land at the back is being negotiated for lease to complement car parking.”
He noted: “Inadequate Muster Point: Muster point is any space outside the building where people can gather in case of fire or emergency. There is ample space around the building that can be used as Muster Point.
“3. Inadequate Airspace. This is a new one. But there is enough airspace as there is no single adjoining building around the 4 sides of the building. There is also no concrete fence but only metal grills to ensure proper airflow.
It must be noted that there are other buildings in the vicinity that do not even come close in terms of compliance on safety matters.
“All this information are known by the relevant personnel of Government in ongoing discussions.
“4. Notice of demolition by government: 3 days.
“5. Demolition started at 3 am Sunday 10 September, 2023 and it is ongoing as we prepare this preliminary report. Building cost is around N1b.”
Lawal further informed that the notice of demolition was just three days, adding that the bulldozers of the government moved in at 3 a.m. on Sunday and were still working at the time he issued the statement.
He put the cost of the building at N1 billion, with about 100 workmen, who are Nigerians, on the site.
Lawal added that the third floor of the plaza was to house the Ogun East Senatorial District office of Otunba Daniel, adding: “There are no single structural defects on the building and ALL relevant and necessary government approvals have been obtained.”
But speaking on the development, an aide to Daniel, Steve Oliyide, said the building was not demolished, but vandalized.
According to Oliyide, the vandalization, which lasted from 2am till 5am on Sunday was carried out by thugs loyal to Governor Dapo Abiodun and were given police protection by ACP Edward Omosoyin with seven armed policemen in 20 vehicles.
Oliyide added that Town Planners refused to sign the Order of demolition because it cannot be justified.
“Dapo Abiodun was said to be in Ijebu Ode yesterday with Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, to see the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
“Town planners that were contacted say they don’t work at night and not even on Sunday. One of Dapo Abiodun’s thugs, Efele, was said to be patrolling the area all through yesterday.
“The operation was led by ACP Edward Omosoyin with seven armed policemen in twenty vehicles and personally supervised the destruction.
“He called the DPOs that they have a special operation by 2am. The destruction was done by thugs headed by Efele and other thugs.
“So, it is logical that Dapo Abiodun’s thugs are the ones who attacked the building to enforce an illegal order and they are being protected by the Police. It is also true that the Town Planners who refused to sign the Order because the demolition cannot be justified were threatened and the one who collected a response letter from the builder has been placed on suspension.”
The Ogun State government is yet to react as at the time of going to press.
