Ololade Adeyanju/
Fans of Nigeria’s highly successful, but physically challenged musician, Yinka Aiyefele, were out in numbers today in Ibadan, as Oyo State government began to demolish part of a multi-million naira studio owned by the singer.
The state government made good its long-standing threat to demolish the Music House located along the Challenge-Toll gate road, for violating town planning rules.
The building is also home to Ayefele’s Fresh FM Station.
The demolition of the building began this morning, with Ayefele posting photographs of the rubble on his Instagram page, with an emotional statement:
“Oyo state government did at last…..my pain my sweat..so help me God.”
The destruction of the N800million building and content attracted hundreds of Ibadan residents.
Oyo government said the building contravened the state’s planning laws and blamed it for three fatal accidents on the abutting highway.
Ayefele had approached an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan seeking to stop the demolition.
Ayefele’s counsel, Mr Olayinka Bolanle, in an ex-parte motion, filed before the court, sought for an order of the court restraining the state government from demolishing the property pending the determination of the suit.
Bolanle also stated that due process was followed in the construction of the structure while relevant approvals were obtained from the state’s departments and agencies associated with land and housing.
Justice I. Yerima ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent and adjourned the case till Monday for the hearing of the ex-parte motion.
The state government on Sunday, however, demolished the structure.