Oyo state government has demolished the popular musician, Yinka Ayefele’s N800 million music house, housing his radio station, Fresh FM, in Ibadan, Oyo state.
There was a week of rancour between the management of the building and the Oyo state government after a notice was served to the effect of demolition.
Buildign contravenes planning law – Oyo gov’t
According to the Oyo government, the structure called Music House contravenes the physical planning laws of the state.
Music House is said to be “structurally defective/poses danger or constitutes a nuisance to the occupier or the general public”.
The notice served by the government expired on Wednesday and the demolition was slated for Thursday.
Toye Arulogun, Oyo commissioner for information, culture and tourism, said Music House violated the originally approved building plan.
Arulogun said contravention notices were served to all radio stations in the state in 2017. He said Music House ignored its request for an application for a new building plan.
Arulogun said the state government had also received petitions in regards to three accidents that took place around Music House.
Reacting to the proposed demolition exercise, Ayefele in a statement said the construction of Music House followed due process.
Yinka Ayefele on demolition notice
Ayefele said the state government is acting based on the prompting of some politicians he had sung against.
Yinka Ayefele Sues Oyo govt
In an exparte motion, filed before Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, Ayefele sought for an order of the court restraining the state government from demolishing the property pending the determination of the suit.
He also stated that due process was followed in the construction of the structure while relevant approvals were obtained from the state’s departments and agencies associated with land and housing.
Justice I. Yerima, however, ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent and adjourned the case till Monday for the hearing of the exparte motion.
