Ogbemudia Houses: Oshiomhole Suspends Activities Of ‘Demolition Squad’

The activities of the Edo State Task Force Committee on Illegal Structures have been reportedly suspended on the orders of Governor Adams Oshiomhole for alleged indiscriminate demolition of houses, particularly those belonging to the two-time governor of the defunct Midwest Region and later Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia.

It was gathered from a reliable source at the state government house that Governor Oshiomhole had put on hold the activities of the committee following  an avalanche of complaints from members of the public, especially complaints from Mrs. Clara Ogbemudia and Ms. Uyi Ogbemudia, wife and daughter of Dr. Ogbemudia respectively, over the demolition of the family's property at 129 Siluko road in Benin City.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the demolition of the two blocks of eight flats said to be the property of Mrs. Clara Ogbemudia was purportedly in contravention of the directive of the governor that only the fence of the premises of the buildings which were said to be obstructing the right of way of the Benin moat should be pulled down to make way for easy movement of flood into the moat.

But Ms. Ogbemudia told Sunday Tribune, on Saturday, that "About two years ago when   the governor sent out his destruction squad to demolish some buildings, this property was marked for destruction. We were amazed because this was a property with its site and building plans approved by relevant government agencies.

"When confronted with evidence, the demolition squad apologised to us and acknowledged that they had made a mistake.  A week or so later we came here one morning only to find demolition marks on the wall again. All attempts to explain to the new demolition squad that the buildings were not in violation of any ordinance failed."

Ms. Ogbemudia, a former Commissioner of Education in the state, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration of Governor Oserheimen Osunbor, said "What you see now is the handiwork of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. I say it is his handiwork because when his destruction team  came, they said that the governor sent them to demolish the property, their exact words were 'Na Oshiomhole, say make we bring them down'."

She then asked, "Can a man duly elected by the people be associated with this barbaric, sadistic and senseless act? Can this same person who came to be governor through rule of law have such a utter and complete disregard for the law and due process? Lastly, are we still safe in Edo State when the very person who has sworn to uphold our rights is the very  one trampling on them?