Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has ordered the arrest and prosecution of the chairman of the state Task Force on Demolition of Illegal Properties, Lawrence Loye, for carrying out illegal and unauthorised demolition of buildings in the state capital.
Mr Oshiomhole gave the order yesterday while inspecting an illegally demolished building on Siluko Road, Benin City.
“As you have seen, this building that he has destroyed does not in any way affect the moat,” Mr Oshimhole said. “There is enough space between the property and the moat. The fact that you work for government does not give you license to visit harm and destruction on innocent people.
“I am convinced that he acted in bad faith; he acted in mischief. He is a sadist and his purpose is to bring confusion to the community and confuse the people about the genuineness of our intentions.” The Governor also decried the recklessness with which the task force had been operating.
According to the governor, “Major Loye, on his own, without authorisation from the commissioner, moved to this location and brought down this building. He is not a town planning officer. He is only to carry out demolitions after a competent officer identifies a property that offends the right of way. He has assumed the powers of the ministry of land and environment. On his own, without being told, he goes about marking houses indiscriminately.” The governor re-assured the people, saying he remained committed to clearing the path of flood in the city.
“If any property obstructs the right of way, it will be demolished, it does not matter who owns it,” he said.
Fight back against demolition
He added however that if any property does not constitute any blockade, such property are entitled to government protection.
“I am handing him over now to the police for prosecution for illegal destruction of properties.
He will be prosecuted according to the law. Although the governor can revoke properties for public interest, I have not handed over that power to Major Loye and he cannot acquire those powers. If he seeks to use his personal biases to do what he has done, then he must be subjected to the rule of law and we must bring him to justice,” the governor declared.
The agency had embarked on demolitions of buildings in Benin City, the state capital, and some of the buildings affected were those of two-time Governor of the State, Samuel Ogbemudia and Roland Owie, a former senator.
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