By Segun Amure
The Edo state government on Tuesday bulldozed buildings belonging to three close allies of his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, sparking reactions from victims of the demolition.
The demolished buildings belong to former Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu, a member of the House of Representatives Prof. Julius Ihonvbere and Sports Marketer, Mr. Mike Etemuagbon.
According to reports, Odubu’s property, located at Dennis Osadebe Avenue, GRA, in Benin, was occupied by his younger brother and his family at the time it was demolished.
For Hon. Ihonvbere who previously served as Secretary to the Edo State government in the second term of Adams Oshiomhole, his house located along Edo Osagie street, GRA, Benin was also brought down.
Reacting, the former Deputy Odubu described the development as unfortunate, adding that the matter was already before the court.
He stated that the information regarding the demolition came to him as a surprise.
His statement reads, “The information came to me this afternoon, March 23, that my property situated at Dennis Osadebe avenue has been brought down by agents of the government on the directive of the governor.
“Before now, my attention was brought to a publication in the Observer newspaper in January, that the C of O of my property had been revoked without prior notice given to me.
“I went to court in the matter and I am surprised that after they have been served, the government still went ahead to bring down my house with a bulldozer.
“My younger one was in the house when it was brought down and they did not give them notice nor allowed to remove any of their properties before destroying the place.”
On her part, Precious Odubu, wife of the former Deputy Governor’s brother, said at about 4 p.m, she noticed some policemen came into the compound and she accosted them to inquire about their mission.
Her words “the way they came in, not through the main gate, I was afraid and asked about their mission, and they told me that they want to demolish the house and if there are children in the building, they should be brought out.
“Without even waiting for my response, they just brought in their bulldozers and started destroying the house without allowing us to remove our properties,” she stated.
Before the demolition, it was reported that the property was being occupied by the younger brother to Odubu.
However, the Edo state government was yet to speak on the demolition as at the time of this reporting.
