Controversy Trails Demolition of Crystal Shopping Complex as Kwara Govt Cites Land Use Violation

Date: 2024-10-08

As reported by Punch, a controversy has erupted in Ilorin, Kwara State, following the late-night demolition of the Crystal Shopping Complex on Sulu Gambari Road, owned by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former House of Representatives member, Moshood Mustapha. The demolition, which took place around 10 p.m. on Sunday under tight security, has sparked allegations of political vendetta and legal violations.

Moshood Mustapha, while condemning the demolition, described the act as politically motivated. He claimed to have obtained proper government approval for the construction of the shopping complex and argued that the state government's actions were unjustified.

However, the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) responded with a statement signed by its chairman, Sulyman Andulkareem, asserting that the land had originally been allocated for a car park, not a shopping complex. According to KW-GIS, the development of corner shops on the land violated the approved land use and constituted a breach of the state's urban planning regulations.

Legal and Political Repercussions:

The incident has raised questions about the role of political influence in urban development and sparked public debates about governance and property rights in Kwara State. The security presence at the scene of the demolition further fuels speculation about the political undertones of the government's actions.

He said, “The Kwara GIS is removing the Crystal Corner shops because new findings show clearly that the owner grossly violated the government's Land Use approval issued to the owner on March 22, 2013.

“The approval was for a commercial 'car park only.'

The agency also added that “the illegal building conspicuously creates obstacles for urban planning, road expansion and environmental protection, key features of the urban renewal programme of the government”, noting that, “It is trite to say that a land allotted for a car park cannot and should not become corner shops which it became overnight.”

The agency said tenants occupying the shops had been asked to remove their goods, adding that the ongoing urban renewal programme was in the best interest of the public.

“The programme is neutral to affiliations as many defaulting properties had earlier been removed for similar reasons, and it will be unfair to give preferential treatment to any structure above the larger interest of the public”, it added.

Nonetheless, the government's explanation notwithstanding, Mustapha, in a viral video posted from The Netherlands late on Sunday, said the demolition of his building was politically motivated as the government gave a three-hour eviction notice to the tenants on Saturday and demolished the building on Sunday night.

“Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq demolished my property because of the little political disagreement I have with him. Though we are both members of the APC, I disagree with him because of his one-man show of running the state government and his low performance.

“As a result of this disagreement, he promised to destroy my property and all my investments in the state”, Mustapha alleged.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Muslim Cementary     Segun Abifarin     Alabi Lawal     Plat Technologies     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Alloy Chukwuemeka     Olokoba Sulyman     Maigida Soludero Transit     Dasuki Belgore     BIR     IPSAS     Tafida Of Kaiama     Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan     Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Segun Olawoyin     Babaita     Muhammed Danjuma     Mahmud Durosinlohun Atiku     Omotosho     Tunji Moronfoye     LEAH Charity Foundation     Kassim Babamale     Hausa     Pacify Labs     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     David Oyedepo     Oke-Ogun     Abdulkadir Bolakale Sakariyah     Ilorin     Modibo Kawu     Kwara TV     Shonga Farm Project     TVC Female National Debate     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Adamu Ibrahim Sabi     John Kehinde Salako     Clara Nwachukwu     Computer Based Test     Young Progressives Party     Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria     Islamiya Abdulraheem     Suleiman Ajadi     Akume     Kwarareports.com     Olatunji Abdulmumeen     Ajasse-Ipo     Esuwoye     Niyi Osundare     Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund     Aliyu Kora-Sabi     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Ajibike Katibi     Jeunkunu-Malete-Bani     Abdullahi Imam Abdullahi     Lucky Omoluwa     Boko Haram     Just Event Online     Kayode Laro     CT Ayeni     Solomon Edojah     Alapansapa     Students Union Government     Senior Ibrahim Suleiman     Ahmed Dankaya     Muhammed Abdullahi     Ramadhan     Wale Oladepo     Council Of The Wise     Aisha Ahman-Pategi     Rebecca Bake     Zulu Gambari     Monsurat Omotosho     Village Alive Development Association     Mogaji Aare     Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen     Vasolar     Saliu Shola Taofeek    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Salake     Bola Olukoju     Saka Saadu     Bilikisu Oniyangi     KWTV     ARMTI     Mohammed Yisa     Mohammed Danjuma     Muyideen Ajani Bello     JAAC     Oke-opin     Saad Belgore     Ahman Patigi     Abdulkadri Ahmad Alaiye     General Hospital     Yahaya Muhammad     Irepodun     Kwara Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board     A.O. Belgore     Ghali Alaaya     Olabanji Orilonishe     Olukotun Of Ikotun     Ganiyu Taofiq     Kolawole Bashirat     Tsaragi-Share     Afolayan     Lawal Jimoh     Hassan Taiye Salam     Kwarareports.com     Mohammed Ajia Ibrahim     Ilorin South Constituency     TETFUND     Hassan A. Saliu     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Al-Hikmah Radio     Mary Arinde     Imam Gambari     Alabi Lawal     National Party Of Nigeria     Muhammad Toyin Sanusi     Mohammed Saidu     Yahaya A Paniyaro     Rabiu Kwankwaso     Idris Amosa Saidu     Wasiu Odewale     Lawan     Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed     Taofeek Ibraheem     Umar Saro     Temi Kolawole     Hajj     Femi Agbaje     Oko-Erin     Tunde Yusuf     Saliu Oluwole     John Kehinde Salako     QuickWin     Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf     Quran     Agboola Abdulraheem     Offa     Kwara NIPR     Saeedat Aliyu     Elerinjare     Senate President     Eleyele     Abiodun Oyedepo     Aliyu Kora-Sabi     Olosi Of Osi     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     Saduki Lafiagi     Ahmed Shuaib Buranga     Ajibola Saliu Ajia     Lanre Jimoh     Maigidasanma     Tunji Arosanyin     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari