When Chief Osamede Adun, the Aiyobahan of Benin kingdom, began construction of a shopping complex comprising 218 stores on Mission Road in Benin City, there was mad rush by traders to occupy the shops. Before the complex was completed, many traders had paid for more than three shops. The reason for the rush was because Mission Road where the shopping complex was located is a commercial area.
The traders in a bid to outsmart one another paid between N300,000 and N400,000 annually for a shop and an additional N100,000 as ‘bribe’ even when the building was yet to be completed
Things turned around for Adun and the traders when Governor Godwin Obaseki paid a working visit to the area and visited the complex to confirm several reports he received on the shopping complex. Obaseki was said to have ordered the building to be pulled down since it was erected against town planning rules and not in line with what was approved.
Checks showed that Adun got approval to build 30 shops with space for car park but rather erected a building with 218 stores without any provision for car park. Several ‘stop work’ notices were served on Adun but they were not heeded. After the complex was roofed, some of the traders moved in to secure the shops they paid for.
However, on a Wednesday night in May, officials of the state government demolished the complex. The action shocked Adun. He did not believed that his building would be demolished being a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
Sources said the order to demolish the complex was given after it was discovered that Adun filed processes at the court to restrain the state government from demolishing the building.
Adun sent emissaries to beg Obaseki but the governor insisted that the building must go in public interest.
According to the source, “We consider the general interest of the people before we carry out the exercise. If we allowed that building to stand, it will affect traffic in the whole of Ring Road.
“This government is out to sanitise the state and this is to send a message to anybody that contravene our Town Planning rules and regulations that the era of impunity is over.”
Adun, in a letter dated May 22, said he was prepared to destroy a large part of the building to comply with Town Planning regulations. He sought the state government’s approval for him to commence restructuring of the building.
Adun said he bought the property from three families and later sold a part of the land to the state government for N135m.
He wondered why the state government singled his building out for demolition when other buildings that contravened the laws on the road were left alone.
His words: “The building was approved. Do you do demolition at night? My son who went there to remove some things was arrested.
“I am leader of APC in this state. The land was not acquired illegally. I borrowed N750,000, 000 to build that house. I also sold my house in the U.S. to build the house.
“Government should tell me how they want me to build it and not for them to take the land.”
The shopping complex has been completely pulled down and the land acquired by the state government for public use but the traders are yet to be refunded the money they paid.
Last Tuesday, the over 120 traders affected by the demolition protested, demanding for refund of their money or drag Chief Adun to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if he fails to refund their money. The traders said they protested because they were yet to be told when their money would be refunded.
One of the traders, who gave his name as Celestine Okoro, said: “In December last year (2016), we made an advance payment for 2017. I have two stores there. Depending on the size of the store, some persons paid N200,000, some paid N150,000. The least amount is for those paying for attachments, which cost N70,000.
“All of us have paid for 2017. In January, we were informed by the landlord that he wants to demolish the building and replace it with a standard one. When the building got to the lintel level, he demanded another payment, called ‘kola money,’or consultation fee.
“The old tenants paid N100,000 while the new ones paid N120,000. We also paid an extra N175,000 or N400,000 for seven monthsý, depending on the size.
One of the traders, who gave his name as Chinedu, said he borrowed the money he used to pay for the shop.
Another trader, Isaac, said he was told that a new shop would be provided for him but was yet to get the shop.
When contacted for comments, Chief Adun said he was yet to be paid compensation by the Edo State Government.
He denied collecting such money from the traders adding that he was waiting for the government to pay him.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Paul Ohonbamu said he was not aware of any compensation owed Adun.
But a top government official, who pleaded anonymity, said the state government acquired the property for public interest.
The official urged Adun to refund the money to the traders.
According to the source, “The government acquired that place and pulled it down for being an illegal structure. An advertisement was placed inviting anybody that has interest in the place to come forward.
“Somebody has written us stating that he owned the land and was in court with Chief Adun over ownership of the land. Chief Adun should not be talking about compensation when he is yet to proof ownership of the place.”
