VIA IJEBU EXTRA Can we meet you sir? I am Honorable Musa Moruf. I was a former member of the Ogun state House of Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. We learnt that your filling station and some other properties were destroyed, please sir can you give us an insight into what actually happened sir? I believe all the scenario in that happened at the filling station is all political victimization. I obtained all the necessary document from the past government, under the regime of Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The land in question has its Certificate of Occupancy properly obtained. The necessary document pertaining to the land, even the payment voucher I obtained are still with me. But immediately Gov. Ibikunle Amosun became the Governor of the state, he made a tour to the J4 area afforestation, on their way coming …there is a commissioner from my own town called Honorable Falilu Sabitu who I once had conflict with politically during the period of election. I learnt that he was the one that wrote a petition against me to the governor. The next thing we see is that they (government) demanded for all the legal papers that covers the place through the Judicial Commission of Enquiry set up by the Amosun’s administration. Immediately they cross-checked the documents, I was asked to go. While the documents were still with them, someone drew my attention to a report on the internet that my C of O has not only been revoked, but that no compensation should also be paid to me. I was also asked to evacuate the said properties. As at the time we are conducting this interview, no single letter has been given to me to this effect. Hon, we learnt that you dragged the government to the court. But we have also had the excuses from the government that you acquired the land illegally… Cuts in…I don’t know what they meant by legally or illegally. The land that I acquired with a certified certificate of occupancy (C of O) approved by the government. Immediately, I learnt that they have withheld the C of O that I presented to them; we then forged ahead to the court. The government and I are still in court as at now. To my surprise on the 10 of July while we were still in court I learnt that they have brought bulldozers there to demolished the place. You were reported to have alleged that three serving commissioners were present during the demolition exercise. Can we have their names? Yes, I said that. Hon Falilu Sabitu, the Commissioner for Rural Area, that was the commissioner from my area in Ibiade, Ogun Waterside local government that I had quarrel with during the 2007/2011 election, the present commissioner for Forestry Commissioner Ayo Oluboriand the Commissioner for Works were present. So also were about 35 combatant Army and 17 policemen from Abeokuta. It was a devastating scenario as the government would have to go such far to score cheap political point. Can we know the list of properties that were demolished? The guest house was demolished, 22 lock up shops were also destroyed and the filling station was also destroyed. The funniest part of it is that the filling station that is even on a federal land and doesn’t fall within the jurisdiction of the state was also demolished in which I think even if demolition will take place it should have come from the federal not the state government. What is the total value of these properties? The total value of the properties demolished would be running into N350 million (three hundred and fifty million naira). Because, already the guesthouse is in operation, the lock up shops have been occupied by the people and even the filling station have commenced operation for like two years now How will you describe the action of the state government most especially now that the case is still in the court? It is a case of pure political victimization, and it is not as if they asked me to join their party and I refused. Ordinarily, we are in court and I believed that the state government should have waited for the court verdict before they acted. But they decided to take law into their hands. I have heard from their agents boasting that Judiciary can’t do anything about this. Even the former commissioner of forestry Hon Sabitu is going about running his mouth that there is nothing that will happen if the properties were destroyed. You can’t believe that the case was adjourned till October for further hearing. So sad enough, the case is still in court before Gov Amosun ordered that my lifesaving properties be pulled down. I don’t know what the Governor stand to gain from this anyway. Lastly, since these properties have been destroyed, what would be your next action? We are still in the court; I have asked my lawyer to write the court to let them know the situation of things at the disputed area. I believe in the court, so I will wait for the court to deliver its judgment on the issue.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 17:23:52 +0000