Akala Express Demolition Followed Due Process, Oyo Commissioner Clarifies
The Oyo State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Akin-Funmilayo Williams, has dismissed allegations levelled against the state government by one Prince Ashanke over the demolition of a property located along Akala Express, Ibadan, describing the claims as misleading and unsupported by genuine documentation.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Commissioner stated that the individual making the allegations had been parading forged documents in an attempt to lay claim to a government setback and access road already designated for public use.
According to him, the Ministry received a petition from Mr. Adebayo Orekoya alleging that an illegal structure was being erected directly in front of his property.
Reacting to the petition, the Ministry invited the accused individual to present documents authorising him to erect structures on the said land. However, the Commissioner explained that the documents submitted neither tallied with official government records nor established any legitimate ownership of the property.
He further clarified that the disputed setback was initially allocated on lease to the late Mr. Bello Babatunde Musiliu by the Ibadan Property authority 2021, for a temporary one-year period. According to the Commissioner, the lease was later revoked after the expiration of the period, thereby reverting the space to its original purpose as a setback and access road.
“The claimant alleged that he purchased the setback from Ibadan Local Government Properties, but when asked to provide proof of ownership and valid documents, he failed to produce any genuine records,” the Commissioner said.
Williams disclosed that officials of the Ministry visited the site on January 27, 2026, and issued a contravention notice on the illegal structure after preliminary investigations confirmed discrepancies in the ownership claims. Despite the notice, construction work reportedly continued.
He added that a second stop-work notice with immediate effect was subsequently issued in March 2026, alongside another request for authentic documents backing the construction.
“All the documents presented by the claimant were found to be invalid. Some were unsigned, while others were outrightly forged in a desperate attempt to legitimise the illegal occupation of the land,” he stated.
The Commissioner further revealed that none of the documents presented by Prince Ashanke emanated from any recognised government authority, stressing that the affected portion serves as an access road to more than six properties within the area.
In documents obtained by Bowamedia.com, Ibadan Property reportedly denied ever selling or allocating the said property to Mr. Ashanke, further raising questions over the authenticity of the ownership claims being circulated.
Williams maintained that the demolition exercise was carried out only after due investigation and confirmation that all ownership documents presented by the claimant were forged.
He therefore urged members of the public to disregard what he described as false allegations against the state government, insisting that the law would take its full course.
“There are laws guiding land administration and urban development in Oyo State, and the government will continue to enforce them in the interest of public order and proper physical planning,” he added.
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