2nd September, 2010
A Lagos-based architect, Mr. Bamidele Oyeyipo, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mr. Azubiko Udah, over threat to his life and malicious damage of his property, Dove International Limited on 45/47, Martins Street, Lagos.
In a petition dated 29 July, 2010 which indicated that Dove International Limited had developer/lease agreement with the Animasahun family and in spite of the fact that the lease was still subsisting and with tenants in the premises with their goods and wares, the trustees and some members of the Animashahun family entered the property and demolished the structures of Dove International on 17 July, 2010.
According to Oyeyipoâ€
“The bone of contention was that there was a partial collapse whereby the shootout balcony of the 6th floor fell due to lapses on the part of the workers during construction and when it rained, it became soaked and collapsed which caused the Lagos State government to seal up the place and revoked its Certificate of Occupancy.
“The Lagos State government, however, ordered that a laboratory test for structural stability of the building be done and was found structurally okay, while an independent structural engineer, Moshe Valiant Consultants, who also carried out its own test found it structural okay.
“Thereafter, Animashahun family took the government to court for the possession of their land and while the case between Dove International Limited and Animashaun family was still in court in the suit number M/353/208 before Justice Ojikutu Oshodi of Lagos High Court and adjourned till 20 September, 2010, we suddenly discovered, to our surprise, that demolition took place despite the fact that the case is in court.â€
Counsel to Dove International Limited, Barrister Adeniyi Adebisi, said “we implore the AIG, Mr. Azubuko Udah, to investigate this case of forgery, threat to life and malicious damage to property of Dove. The Animashaun family has no right to demolish our clientâ€
—Oluwole Adeboye