…Owner Alleges Illegal Demolition, No Prior Notice, Police Deployment
…Govt officials Allegedly Supervised Artisans Hired To Pull Down Fence
…Commissioner Declines Interview
Daud Olatunji
The Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL Olatunji Odunlami, has been drawn into a controversy over the alleged demolition of a perimeter fence valued at about N38m in Lugbedu, Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu North Local Government Area, with the state House of Assembly keeping mum nearly one year after receiving a petition seeking an investigation.
The disputed demolition, which reportedly occurred on August 12, 2025, has triggered allegations of illegal destruction of property, failure to serve statutory notices and the deployment of armed policemen, while government officials allegedly supervised artisans brought in to pull down the fence.
The property owner, Adekoya Mufutau Adetayo, through his lawyer, Adebayo Adebola Adekoya, petitioned the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly and the Chairman of its House Committee on Housing, asking lawmakers to investigate the legality of the demolition and the conduct of officials involved.
One year later, however, PLATFORM TIMES has not found any publicly disclosed report, finding, recommendation, sanction or resolution by the Assembly on the petition.
The owner alleged that the demolition was carried out without prior notice or an opportunity to respond to any alleged planning violation, describing the manner of enforcement through his representatives as akin to “jungle justice.”
The petition cited provisions of the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Regulations which, according to the petitioner, require enforcement stages including contravention, stop-work or stop-use, sealing and demolition notices.
The owner maintained that none of the required notices was served on him before the fence was destroyed.
...Armed Policemen, Hired Artisans.
An eyewitness, Fatai Kazim, told PLATFORM TIMES that he rushed to the property after being informed that armed policemen and town planning officials had arrived.
He alleged that between five and six Mobile Police officers and six to eight town planning officials were at the scene, alongside government vehicles.
Kazim said he pleaded with the officials to stop the demolition, explaining that millions of naira had already been invested in the property.
He alleged that the policemen secured the area while artisans reportedly hired for the operation physically demolished the fence.
According to him, the demolition was eventually halted following the arrival of the Divisional Police Officer.
The allegations could not independently be verified by PLATFORM TIMES.
The project’s engineer, identified as Niyi, also told the newspaper that the head of the Ago-Iwoye Town Planning Office, identified as Ayeleso, had contacted him concerning several plots in the area and requested documents relating to the land.
Niyi said he confirmed that the documents existed and forwarded them as requested.
…Commissioner Refuses Interview
In its attempt to obtain the commissioner’s direct response, PLATFORM TIMES contacted TPL Olatunji Odunlami and presented specific questions concerning the alleged demolition.
The commissioner, however, declined an interview and did not personally respond to the allegations.
The ministry instead responded through its Acting General Manager, TPL Dandy H. Olabode, in a letter dated July 20, 2026.
The ministry categorically maintained that due process was followed.
It stated: “all due process regarding the alleged demolition were followed as enshrined in the law and regulation of Ogun State without any prejudice.”
But despite being asked for copies of the documents that would establish the enforcement process, the ministry did not provide PLATFORM TIMES with the alleged contravention notices, stop-work/stop-use notices, sealing notice, demolition notice or proof of service.
This leaves the central issue unresolved: the owner and witnesses allege that no prior demolition notice was served, while the ministry insists that due process was followed.
….Marked Properties Still Standing
A PLATFORM TIMES visit to the area also found several other properties bearing red markings apparently indicating enforcement action.
However, those properties remained standing more than a year after the disputed demolition.
The ministry was asked to explain the apparent difference in enforcement and clarify the status of the other marked properties, but it did not provide the requested documentation.
…Assembly’s Silence Deepens Controversy
The property owner had sought the intervention of the House of Assembly over the alleged failure to follow statutory procedures, police deployment, the identity of officials involved, alleged selective enforcement and possible external influence.
Yet, almost a year after the petition, there is no publicly known outcome of the legislative intervention.
While the ministry maintains that the exercise complied with Ogun State law, the absence of the requested enforcement documents and a publicly disclosed legislative outcome has left the dispute unresolved.
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