By Ken Afor
There is currently controversy following the vandalisation of DATKEM Plaza, a property owned by Olufunke Daniel, the wife of former governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel in the early hours of Sunday.
According to reports, thugs loyal to Governor Dapo Abiodun carried out the vandalisation of the building located at Folagbade Street in Ijebu Ode, which was set to be commissioned at the end of this month.
Further details revealed that prior to the vandalisation of the five-storey building, the state government issued a contravention notice to the contractors on Thursday.
The project manager, Olusegun Lawal noted that some of the contraventions mentioned in the notice included; inadequate parking space, inadequate muster point, and inadequate airspace.
“The building boasted a ground floor and mezzanine equipped with a fully-fledged banking hall, complete with bank trap doors and a CHUBB Strong Room,” Mr Lawal said.
The project manager also highlighted the installation of a Kone Elevator by Kresta Laurel Ltd, brand new split air conditioners from Holomicool Nig Ltd, a 150kVA generator set, and a transformer.
He expressed puzzle at why the government would embark on the vandalisation of the building that had a fire-fighting system installed by Flory Ltd, with external cladding completed by Vertex Nig Ltd. and the supervision of the building carried out by qualified and certified engineers, Engr. A Lawal and Engr. Ibraheem Shonde, among others.
Meanwhile, Steve Oliyide, an aide to Otunba Gbenga Daniel disclosed that Town Planners refused to sign the order of vandalisation because it cannot be justified.
He said the exercise lasted for three hours between 2:00am and 5:00am adding that thugs loyal to the governor were provided with police protection by ACP Edward Omosoyin with seven armed policemen in twenty vehicles.
According to him, “Dapo Abiodun was said to be in Ijebu Ode yesterday with Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila to see the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
“Town planners that were contacted say they don’t work at night and not even on Sunday. One of Dapo Abiodun’s thugs, Efele was said to be patrolling the area all through yesterday.
“The operation was led by ACP Edward Omosoyin with seven armed policemen in twenty vehicles and personally supervised the destruction.
“He called the DPOs that they have a special operation by 2am. The destruction was done by thugs headed by Efele and other thugs.
“So, it is logical that Dapo Abiodun’s thugs are the one who attacked the building to enforce an illegal order and they are being protected by the Police. It is also true that the Town Planners who refused to sign the Order because the demolition cannot be justified were threatened and the one who collected a response letter from the builder has been placed on suspension.”
The state government is yet to issue a statement regarding the vandalisation.
