The Oyo State Government has denied claims that it demolished a property belonging to a former Deputy Governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
The Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, refuted the claim on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Akin-Funmilayo said officials of the ministry only removed a fence erected on an undeveloped parcel of land after it blocked a service road linking the community to the expressway.
The commissioner spoke during an on-the-spot assessment of the site at Temidire Zone 1, along the Bodija/Ojoo Expressway in Ibadan.
He explained that Olaniyan had been served with a notice to remove the illegal structure following complaints from residents who were affected by the blockage of the access road.
According to him, the state government would not tolerate unlawful acts capable of disrupting the peaceful environment enjoyed by residents.
Akin-Funmilayo dismissed online reports alleging that the government destroyed Olaniyan’s property, describing them as “untrue and misleading”.
“I instructed the removal of illegal structures inhibiting smooth traffic and vehicular movement within this neighborhood.
“When I heard claims that the former deputy governor’s property was demolished, I knew my officials would not act without authorization.
“To confirm the facts, I visited the site and found that there was no structure on the land being claimed,” the commissioner said.
He added that only road construction equipment was found on the undeveloped land, further disputing claims of demolition.
“The structures removed were blocking free vehicular movement for residents of this neighborhood,” he said.
Akin-Funmilayo noted that surveys showed the area was designated as a road which some property owners had illegally obstructed.
“We will not accept actions that deny residents access to their properties. We are committed to ensuring peaceful cohabitation in Oyo State,” he said.
