Oshiomhole speaks on the demolition of property in UNIBEN

Benin - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, on
Wednesday said his administration had not demolished
any property belonging to University of Benin (UNIBEN),
but only took possession of government's property.
Oshiomhole reiterated this while answering questions
from newsmen in Benin.
He said that the court case between the university and
the state government had lingered for several years.
The governor also said that the court had ruled in favour
of the government and had ordered the university to
vacate the property.
He explained that rather than vacating the area, the
institution's authority hatched plans to sell the property.
Oshiomhole disclosed that it was in a bid to stop the
sale of the property that prompted the action of the
government on Monday.
He also said that the government was unaware of any
appeal against the court ruling by either the UNIBEN
authority or a stay of execution granted by any court.
Also read: UNIBEN employees protest demolition of
official quarters
Similarly, Henry Idahagbon, Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice, in his reaction to the judicial
issue, said the government was not at fault.
Idahagbon said that he was not aware of any stay of
execution, adding that if the institution's authority could
provide the evidence of a stay of execution served on
the government, he would resign his appointment.
He disclosed that a court in 1981 had ruled in favour of
the government and re-echoed that government only
repossessed their property.
The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
had on Tuesday described the demolition of the UNIBEN
senior staff quarters by the government as a fight
against the Federal Government.
The state chairman of the party, Dan Orbih, described
the action as 'barbaric', saying that it was wrong for a
government to infringe on the constitutional rights of
the citizens, especially when the issues were still
pending in court.
Courtesy: m.news24.com
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