The Oyo State Government early on Sunday morning stormed the Music House from which the Fresh FM belonging to artiste, Yinka Ayefele, operated.
Government bulldozers arrived the Challenge area of Ibadan where the building was located and pulled it down.
The government carried out the demolition despite a court injunction secured by Ayefele restraining the government from carrying out the exercise.
The government said that the building contravened physical planning rules, while Ayefele claimed that all the necessary papers were obtained for the construction of the building.
Hundreds of sympathisers were seen at the scene of the demolition, with many of them crying and pleading for the station to be spared.
Recounting the Sunday morning incident, Ayefele said, “We only got wind of the operation sound of the bulldozer. On stepping out to verify what was actually happening, the bulldozer had hit the gate.
“At that point, it dawned on us that they were from the state government.
“At that point, we were confused and we’re just shouting to alert other staff on duty.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the state government had marked the structure located on the Challenge-Toll Gate Road for demolition for allegedly contravening the state’s planning laws.
But Ayefele had approached an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, seeking to stop the planned demolition.
Ayefele’s counsel, Mr. Olayinka Bolanle, in an ex parte motion filed before the court, sought an order of the court restraining the state government from demolishing the property pending the determination of the suit.
Bolanle also stated that due process was followed in the construction of the structure, while relevant approvals were obtained from the state’s departments and agencies associated with land and housing.
Justice I. Yerima ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent and adjourned the case till Monday, August 20, for the hearing of the ex parte motion.
However, on Sunday morning, the state government demolished the structure located on the Challenge-Toll Gate dual carriageway.
Eye witnesses told NAN that bulldozers moved in at about 4.30 a.m. to commence the demolition exercise, while Fresh FM alerted the public on the development.
The government officials who carried out the demolition have since left the scene, along with the bulldozers.
NAN reports that the radio station has since been off air, while a huge crowd gathered at the scene of the demolition as at the time of this report.
(Additional reports from NAN)
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