Oyo govt makes detour, admits it demolished Ayefele’s radio station, explains rationale for action

The government of Oyo State has countered its lead counsel Yomi Alliyu (SAN) who told a High court in Ibadan on Monday that his client was unaware and also not responsible for the demolition of Music House, the building housing Fresh FM 109.5, Ibadan owned by gospel singer Yinka Ayefele.

Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Physical Planning and Development Control, Waheed Gbadamosi, said that before the demolition, the government gave Yinka Ayefele ample time to regularise the building plan of the Music House.

According to Mr Gbadamosi, it was established during a visit to the building that it encroached into the sight distance of the Y junction along Lagelu Estate, in Ibadan.

The Special Adviser however refuted claims that the move by Oyo government to demolish the building was not politically motivated.

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

It seemed like the government of Oyo feigned ignorance over the destruction of the building when Alliyu (SAN), told the court that his client was not responsible for the demolition.

Alliyu also told the court that the government is planning to set up a panel of inquiry to find out those responsible for the demolition.

”My clients are men of honour that respect rule of law and constituted authority and will have no reason to demolish the said property,” he told the court.

But Gbadamosi while justifying the government’s reason for the demolition, said, “On June 14, 2017, requests for approval were sent to Music House and 22 other radio stations in Oyo State. On August 18, 2017, a reminder letter was sent to Music House and the letter was received by Adebisi Akinkunmi. The action of the state government is not a witch-hunt. We even reported the radio stations to the National Broadcasting Commission.

“We also wrote to the Central Bank of Nigeria on some banks contravening the Oyo State Physical Planning and Development Control Law. Music House submitted a building plan on June 14, 2018, which necessitated the joint inspection visit we carried out on June 25, 2018. It was discovered that it was meant to be an office complex and not a radio station, among some other infractions.”

 

 

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