Falilat Oluwayemisi and Adeshina Balogun have appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in connection with the alleged illegal demolition of a four-storey building valued at N800 million.
Oluwayemisi and Balogun are currently facing six charges, including conspiracy and the unlawful destruction of the aforementioned building, which is owned by a Lagos-based developer named Hakeem Olawuyi, as reported by NAN.
SP Josephine Ikhayere, acting on behalf of Insp. Ajayi Emmanuel, the Prosecutor, informed the court that on April 1, the defendants collaborated with unidentified accomplices to carry out the offense. Ikhayere detailed that the defendants enlisted the assistance of armed individuals to forcefully evacuate the occupants and subsequently demolish the four-storey structure.
The building, situated at Number 20a, Church Street, Isale-Eko, in the Idumota area of Lagos Island, comprised 12 two-bedroom apartments, four self-contained units, and 24 lock-up shops.
Ikhayere further explained that the value of the items destroyed during the demolition amounted to N800 million, all owned by Olawuyi, who is associated with Dapo Ola Construction Company.
She clarified that these actions are in violation of the Criminal Law of Lagos State in 2015.
In response to the charges, the accused individuals entered pleas of not guilty before the court.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, standing on behalf of Magistrate O. I Raji, admitted the defendants to bail in N800,000 and two sureties, who must be gainfully employed with two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Owolabi adjourned the matter until August 28 for mention.