An Ogun State High Court has issued an interim order restraining Governor Dapo Abiodun and the state government from demolishing or interfering with properties belonging to former governor, Gbenga Daniel.
Justice O.S. Oloyede, ruling on an ex parte application on Tuesday, barred the governor, the state’s Attorney General, the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority, and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development from tampering with Daniel’s private residence, Asoludero Court, located at the Sagamu Government Reservation Area, as well as the Conference Hotels Limited and its annex.
The order, which also prohibits any form of trespass, followed a motion filed on behalf of Daniel and his wife, Olufunke, by their counsel, A.M. Kotoye (SAN).
“Having read the affidavit in support and the affidavit of urgency, I am satisfied that this court needs to take immediate steps to intervene in this case,” Justice Oloyede said.
“Consequently, I hereby issue an interim order restraining the defendants and their agents, proxies, or any other persons acting on their behalf from demolishing or tampering with the said properties, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The judge also directed that the defendants should not “disturb the quiet possession” of the claimants over the properties, which cover about 1.659 hectares, until the next court sitting on August 19, 2025.
Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East at the Senate, had at the weekend accused Governor Abiodun of ordering the demolition of his Sagamu residence, hotels, and annex.
In a statement through his media aide, Steve Oliyide, the former governor described the alleged directive as “laughable” and “deeply rooted in thuggish and political vindictiveness at its highest shameful level.”
According to him, notices of contravention, quit, and demolition threats were pasted on the properties on August 8, giving only three days’ notice.
Reacting to the controversy, Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Tunji Odunlami, denied that the move was politically motivated.
He explained that the contravention notices were part of a “routine government land audit” in GRAs as part of the state’s urban renewal project.
“It is not about tarnishing anybody’s image,” Odunlami told journalists.
“All those served the notices, including Senator Daniel, are expected to present their documents for verification. The same process will be extended to other GRAs in the state.”
The court will next hear the matter on August 19, when the application for an interlocutory injunction will be considered.