Ibadan — AN Ibadan High Court has ordered Governor Abiola Ajimobi and other parties in a suit instituted by the registered trustees of the Celestial Church of Christ, Makoko Village, Yaba and Evangelist Kolawole Olakanmi to stay action on the demolition of the church until the determination of the case.
The ruling was given by Justice I.O. Aiki. The judge also assured parties in the suit that accelerated hearing would be given to the case.
The church had prayed the court to declare that the demolition notice dated 16th November, 2012 issued by the 5th defendant being an agent of the 1st defendant against the lawful occupation and interest of the claimants in respect of the land situate, lying and being behind Forestry fence, Mokola Sango road, Ibadan measuring approximately 3777.660 square metres is in contradiction of and inconsistent with the Letter of Approval dated 12th June, 2009 issued by the 4th defendant on behalf of the 1st defendant I null and void.”
The demolition, if carried out, they noted, would injure their physical, emotional, spiritual and material well-being.
Others sued along with the governor include Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Oyo State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Surveys; Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Oyo State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Mr. Adeosun.
Justice Aiki said during the ruling that “a good perusal of these claims show clearly that there is a serious question to be tried at the hearing of this suit. There are serious conflicts of facts contained in the affidavits of parties in this application which go to the root of the issues to be tried at the substantive stage of this suit.
The case was then adjourned to 24th of October, 2013.
