Court restrains Ogun government from demolishing Gbenga Daniel’s properties

A high court in Sagamu has restrained the Ogun state government from tampering or demolishing the private residence of Gbenga Daniel, a former governor.

O.S. Oloyede, the presiding judge, issued the restraining order on Tuesday following an ex parte application submitted by A.M. Kotoye, the applicants’ counsel.

The application, dated August 11, was filed by Daniel and his wife Olufunke.

The respondents are governor of Ogun state, attorney-general of Ogun, Ogun State Planning & Development Permit Authority, and Ogun state commissioner for physical planning and urban development.

“AN EX PARTE ORDER of this Honourable Court restraining the Defendants/Respondents and their Agents, Allies, Proxies, Assigns, Cronies, Servants, etc and any other person(s), howsoever described, either claiming through them or acting on their behalf, in whatsoever manner, upon their authority/instructions, from demolishing or in any way or manner tampering with the property known as Asoludero Court, situate, lying and being at Block 1, Plots 7 and 8 and of Block XXXVIII, Plot 1 and 12, within the amended part of the Government Reservation Area, Sagamu, now known as Awolowo Avenue, Sagamu, measuring approximately, 1,659 hectares, more particularly plan No. SA. 160 (OG) attached to the old Certificate of Occupancy No 024698 dated the 21 April, 2005, later replaced by a new computerized Certificate of Occupancy No. LUD3/LR2693 and dated 20th January, 2010 and/or giving effect to the Defendants/Respondents’ Quit Notice dated 8th August, 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice herein filed,” the ex parte application reads.

After the application was moved by Kotoye, Oloyede restrained the respondents and their agents from tampering or demolishing the property of the applicants.

The presiding judge adjourned hearing on the application for interlocutory injunction to August 19, 2025.

Another ex parte application was filed by Conference Hotel Limited and Blue Chapel Limited against the same respondents over demolition of their property in Ogun.

The Conference hotel is owned by Daniel.

Ruling on the ex parte application, Oloyede restrained the Ogun government and its agents from demolishing the hotel.

BACKGROUND

Recently, Steve Oliyide, media aide to the former governor, raised an alarm over alleged plans by the Ogun government to demolish Daniel’s residence and hotel.

Oliyide had alleged that the demolition notice on the buildings was a form of “political persecution” against Daniel by Abiodun, the Ogun governor.

In its reaction, the Ogun government said the allegations bordering on political persecution are false and aimed at causing disaffection in the state.

Kayode Akinmade, special adviser on information and strategy to Abiodun, had said the exercise is part of an ongoing urban renewal and development audit in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode government reservation areas (GRAs).

Daniel is the senator representing Ogun east. He served as governor of the state from 2003 to 2011.