Transparency and accountability are needed from the Ogun State government. Legal proceedings continue as many demand a thorough investigation into the destruction of the property.
The Datkem Plaza in Ijebu Ode, owned by Yeye Olufunke Daniel, wife of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, was controversially vandalized, leading to criticism and legal challenges against the Dapo Abiodun-led-Ogun State government.
On the early hours of Sunday, September 10, 2023, an act of executive recklessness, lawlessness, and irresponsibility occurred in the form of vandalism.
Yeye Daniel was the victim of this act, and his legal firm, PAGE Law Office, represented him in issuing a press release.
The release stated that the Ogun State government ignored court papers that were served on their agents on Thursday, September 7, which aimed to halt any actions on the building. The conflict began earlier, on August 1, when the Ogun State Planning and Development Authority sealed the plaza without prior notice. On August 31, a quit notice was served, 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.
