The Oyo State Government on Monday countered its own layer’s defence that it did not know anything about the Sunday dawn demolition of an N800m structure belonging to the ace musician, Yinka Ayefele.
After several denials, the government on Monday argued that due process was followed in the demolition of the Music House belonging to the popular musician.
It also said that no court order restrained it from carrying out its “statutory role in the public interest.”
Denying culpability in the demolition, the state government, through its counsel, Mr. Yomi Alliyu, had told Justice Iyabo Yerima of the State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, on Monday, that it was preparing to institute a panel of inquiry to unravel the identity of those who razed the N800m edifice.
However, late Monday evening, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Physical Planning and Development Control, Mr. Waheed Gbadamosi, claimed at a press conference in Ibadan that government gave ample opportunity for Music House to regularise its building plan.
He further said Ayefele was duly informed through several correspondences, adding that the action of the government to demolish the building was not politically motivated.
Gbadamosi said that it was established during a visit to the building that it encroached into the sight distance of the Y Junction along Lagelu Estate, stressing that a canteen, toilets, store, and powerhouse, which were not in the plan submitted, were attached to the wall fence.
He added that the mast erected and staircase on site were not included in the plan submitted, noting that the basement of the plan which was meant for car park had also been converted.
Gbadamosi said that a letter was sent to Music House on June 29, 2018, to submit a fresh building plan application that will reflect the existing structures on site and regularise the anomalies.
He alleged that the radio house deliberately ignored the letter until the demolition notices were sent on August 13, 2018, based on the earlier request for the submission of AS-Built Plan for approval
Gbadamosi reiterated that government’s action was not based on sentiments or a witch-hunt, saying contravention notices had been served to different organisations in the state since June 14, 2017.
He insisted that the building plan from Music House deviated from the approved plan, adding, “this made the approval null and void because a deceitful information was given to the approving authority.”
Meanwhile, the state government on Monday gave conditions for the Chairman of Yinka Ayefele Nigeria Limited, Dr. Yinka Ayefele to rebuild his partially demolished Music House, saying the musician must complete the documentations required for construction of such edifice for radio station before embarking on repairs of the structure.
Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, who gave the conditions, insisted that Ayefele flouted the state’s town planning regulations before establishing the radio station.
The government’s position came as Ayefele told journalists that all he laboured for in his over 20 years’ career was pulled down by the state government in few minutes.
In an emotion-laden voice, Ayefele noted that his wife who met the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, 24 hours before the demolition, was subjected to series of psychological torture at the Government House, saying “she was on her knees for about five hours from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. begging the governor for leniency”. “We have relocated our studio and Fresh FM is fully back on air. It is only the NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) that can stop us from broadcasting. They can only try but they can’t succeed. I have provided employment opportunities for the people of Ibadan and Nigerians. Fresh FM is a small business that should be encouraged, not destroyed.
“Fresh FM impacted the city and state’s economy. Families depend on Fresh FM for their daily existence. There is no defence for this vindictive and politically motivated destruction of a thriving business in a city that needs economic and job opportunities,” Ayefele explained.
