Dapo Abiodun Demolishes Gbenga Daniel’s Wife’s Building Despite Court Order

Yeye Olufunke Daniel, the wife of former governor Gbenga Daniel, purportedly owned a five-story DATKEM plaza in Ijebu-Ode, which was supposedly demolished by the Ogun state government under the leadership of Dapo Abiodun.

On Sunday, September 10, 2023, about three in the morning, the building at Folagbade Street, Ijebu-Ode, was destroyed.

Olusegun Lawal, the project manager and building developer, confirmed this development.

According to Lawal, the plaza is a recognizable, fully approved edifice whose development began in 2009 and was due for commissioning at the end of September.

He added that the Kone elevator was erected by Kresta Laurel Limited, another business owned by Senator Daniel, and that the ground floor and mezzanine are a banking hall completely equipped with bank trap doors and a CHUBB strong room.

According to the project manager, a transformer and a building with a 150 KVA generator set and 80 brand-new split air conditioners that had just been fully installed by Holomicool Nigeria Limited were also damaged.

The external cladding being finished by Vertex Nigeria Limited and a firefighting system installed by Flory Limited both failed.

Lawal discussed the justifications given by the state government for the demolition.

 “Not enough parking space (front of Building is Folagbade Street, sided by two (2) undeveloped streets which is being prepared by the Developers to be tarred to support parking while the empty piece of land at the back is being negotiated for lease to complement car parking.

 

He noted: “Inadequate Muster Point: Muster point is any space outside the building where people can gather in case of fire or emergency. There is ample space around the building that can be used as Muster Point.

 

“3. Inadequate Airspace. This is a new one. But there is enough airspace as there is no single adjoining building around the 4 sides of the building. There is also no concrete fence but only metal grills to ensure proper airflow.

 

It must be noted that there are other buildings in the vicinity that do not even come close in terms of compliance on safety matters.

“All this information are known by the relevant personnel of Government in ongoing discussions. 4. Notice of demolition by government: 3 days

 

“5. Demolition started at 3 am Sunday 10 September, 2023 and it is ongoing as we prepare this preliminary report. Building cost is around N1b.”

Lawal said that the government’s bulldozers had already moved in at 3 a.m. on Sunday and were still at work when he made the remark, indicating that the notice of demolition had only been in effect for three days.

He estimated the building’s cost at N1 billion, with roughly 100 Nigerian workers already on the job.

The Ogun East Senatorial District office of Otunba Daniel would be located on the third level of the plaza, according to Lawal, who added: “There are no single structural defects on the building and ALL relevant and necessary government approvals have been obtained.”