AYEFELE’S FRESH FM: Nigerians rally support as SERAP accuses Ajimobi of executive rascality

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has accused the Governor of Oyo State Senator Abiola Ajimobi of executive rascality and strongly condemned “the unlawful demolition of Fresh FM building owned by Yinka Ayefele, and the forced evictions of residents by the Oyo State government”.

SERAP described it as a “grave violation of fundamental human rights and contrary to international law.”

The Oyo State Government early on Sunday morning stormed the Music House belonging to gospel artiste, Yinka Ayefele. Government bulldozers arrived the Challenge area of Ibadan where the building was located and pulled it down, despite a pending court action to stop the demolition.

Ayefele had sued Oyo State government, and the court had ruled that ‘there are serious issues to be determined, and adjourned the case to August 20.

Meanwhile, many Nigerians have thrown their weight behind moves to support Ayefele recover from the demolition of his radio station.

A retired judge, Justice Olamide Oloyode has started a campaign to raise about N800 million for the project.

Read Also: Wailing, gnashing of teeth as Oyo govt finally demolishes Ayefele’s radio station

Oloyede, who is the Deputy Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the forthcoming governorship elections in Osun State, has called on Nigerians to contribute whatever little they can to re-locate and rebuild the radio station.

There are accusations that the government’s action was as a result of criticisms by the radio station of the Abiola Ajimobi-led state government.

It would be recalled that Oloyede herself is a victim of government’s action as she was retired by the National Judicial Council NJC) for publicly criticising the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

The retired judge, who is also the Lead Advocate, Virtues Unlimited Restorative Justice Initiative, urged Nigerians to come to the aid of the wheelchair-bound musician by assisting him to build a better structure than the one pulled down by the Oyo State Government.

She said, “Nothing is too little, lets jointly ensure that the glory of the latter house is greater than that which was demolished.”

On it’s part, SERAP in a statement on Sunday signed by its deputy director Timothy Adewale said, “This is a gross abuse of powers by the Oyo State government and governor Ajimobi against a radio station simply doing their job. The action is politically motivated, patently arbitrary and entirely inconsistent with international human rights standards and national laws. The action amounts to executive rascality and seriously undermines the integrity and authority of our courts. This kind of action has no place in a democratic society that is based on the rule of law.”

The organization said “the destruction of a radio station on the grounds that the Oyo state government dislikes their work is a textbook case of repression of media freedom and violation of the right to adequate housing. The authorities must immediately stop the demolition, ensure appropriate repairs of the building and adequate compensation, and guarantee of non-repetition. SERAP will challenge this violent and reckless destruction of Ayefele’s Fresh FM in court.”

 

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