SAGAMU, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.co.com) — A High Court in Sagamu has issued a restraining order preventing the Ogun State government from demolishing the private residence of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, following an ex parte application by his lawyers.
The order, granted Tuesday by Justice O.S. Oloyede, restrains the state, its attorney-general, and other agencies from “demolishing or in any way or manner tampering with” Daniel’s property, known as Asoludero Court, pending the hearing of a motion on notice. The hearing is set for August 19.
Daniel and his wife, Olufunke, filed the application on August 11 through their counsel, A.M. Kotoye. Two of Daniel’s companies — Conference Hotel Limited and Blue Chapel Limited — also secured similar restraining orders against the state in separate applications.
The move comes after Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, alleged that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration was targeting Daniel’s residence and hotel for demolition as “political persecution.”
“The demolition notice is nothing short of a politically motivated attack,” Oliyide said.
The Ogun State government denied the claim, saying the planned action is part of an ongoing urban renewal and development audit in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode government reservation areas.
Daniel, a senator representing Ogun East, served as governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011.
