Yinke Ayefele Sues Oyo State To Court Over Demolition Notice

Yinka Ayefele, Popular musician and Chief Executive Officer of a private radio station, Fresh FM 109.5 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital has dragged the Oyo State government to court over the demolition notice sent to his Music House, the building housing the radio station.

The building which is located on the Lagos-Ibadan by-pass in Challenge area of Ibadan, was marked by the state government for demolition for allegedly contravening the state’s planning laws.

Ayefele who is in court to seek a restraining order against the state government from demolishing the property, pending the determination of the suit, said the demolition notice was a witch-hunt.

Olayinka Bolanlen, the lawyer to the popular singer, In an ex parte motion, insisted that the construction of the build was in line with the lawful process of erecting structures in the state.

He stated that relevant departments and agencies in the state had approved the construction of the structure.

However, Justice Iyabo Yerima, who disclosed that the issue before her is knotty, ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent.

The hearing of the ex parte motion was also adjourned by the judge.

Meanwhile, supporters and  fans of the owner of Fresh FM,  besieged the station to protest the alleged plans by the state government to pull the structure down.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, such “Obey rule of law”; “Fresh FM must stand”, among others, the protesters pleaded with the state government to shelf the demolition plan.

They praised the station as a “credible source of up-to-date information” on developments in the country and the state.