Shocking Images of Mass Destruction of Plaza Emerge
Justice Hassan Olujinmi, the Judge ruled and granted ‘an Order permitting the applicant to seek for protection of the property subject to matter of the suit in view of the withdrawal of police protection
The High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on the 13th, 2024, granted Yeye Olufunke Daniel, the wife of the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba (Senator) Gbenga Daniel, the rights to secure her property, Datkem Plaza, which was wrongfully and massively vandalized and damaged by some hoodlums and some persons reportedly identified as officials of Prince Dapo Abiodun-led Government of the State, newsheadline247 reports.
Yeye Daniel had in a Motion on Notice dated 4th of January 2024, and filed 16th January, 2024 sought for an interlocutory injunction against the defendants/Respondents, their agents, privies, staff and other related agencies from further trespass or doing any act(s) or conduct which may negatively affect the Claimants/Applicants’ proprietary right. The defendants and respondents include the Attorney General of Ogun State, Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development, Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority and Ogun State Building Producition Management Authority.
On the 10th of September, 2023, early Sunday morning, the State Government undertook demolition of the 5-story DATKEM Plaza on Folagbade Street, Ijebu Ode.
Multiple reports pointed that the act of the destruction of the plaza stealthily took place around 3:00 am, during the dark hours of the morning.
The Construction of the structure, which is said to have full government approval, started in 2009 and it’s scheduled for commissioning at the end of September, 2023.
But in what appears to be a politically motivated incident, the early hours of September 10 witnessed a violent intrusion and destruction of magnificent edifice, sending tremors throughout the neighborhood. It was gathered that tens of hoodlums played prominent roles during hours of vandalisation and destruction of the property.
Ogun State Government Reasons For The Demolition
Following the public outcry over the destruction of the Datkem Plaza, the state government reeled out the following reasons for their action:
1. Not enough parking space (front of Building is Folagbade str.
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.
“2. 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 with the vicinity that does not even come close in terms of compliance on safety matters.
“All these information are known by the relevant personnel of Government in ongoing discussions.
4. Notice of demolition by government: 3 days
“5. Demolition started 3am Sunday 10 September, 2023 and it is ongoing as we prepare this preliminary report. Building cost is around N1b.”
However, the construction company in charge of the building reacted to the state government claims as reasons for the vandalisation of the property, saying “there were no structural or quality issues as far as the building is concern
Datkem Plaza Has No Structural or Quality Issues – Engineer Tosses Ogun Govt. Claims
Engr Olusegun Lawal, the Project Manager & Developer, Adeolumi Environmental Services Ltd, the construction company in charge of the building, said the ground floor and mezzanine of the building is a banking hall fully fitted with bank trap doors and CHUBB Strong Room while the third floor is to house the Ogun East Senatorial Office.
He added that the Kone Elevator had been installed in the Plaza with about 80 Brand new Split Air conditioners just installed by a reputable company.
Engr Lawal listed other facilities in the building including a 150kVA electricity generating set, a transformer and a fire fighting system.
According to Engr Lawal, the construction of the building was supervised by qualified and certified engineers, adding that there were no structural or quality issues.
However, he said, while contacted, the government gave, as reasons for ordering the demolition, inadequate car space, inadequate muster point (space outside the building where people can gather in case of fire or emergency) and inadequate airspace.
Engr Lawal punctured all the claims, saying the company provided enough car space for which the empty piece of land at the back of the building was being negotiated for lease to complement car parking.
On muster point, the revered engineer said there was ample space around the building that could be used for the purpose.
He also said “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.”
The Court Rules…
Delivering ruling on Monday in the Suit marked HCJ/297/2023, Justice Hassan Olujinmi, the Judge ruled and granted ‘an Order permitting the applicant to seek for protection of the property subject to matter of the suit in view of the withdrawal of police protection and continued alleged pilfering of the items in there to which the learned S.G by his letter dated 28th January, 2024 had stated that the defendants are at liverty to provide such protection if they so desire.”
The Judge ruled further that; “ I am inclined to granting an Order permitting the claimants/applicants to provide own security over the p[roperty pending the hearing and determination of this action but not to proceed to carry out any development on the property subject matter of this suit.
