The Godwin Obaseki-led Edo State Government, on Tuesday evening, demolished the property of former deputy governor Pius Odubu situated at Dennis Osadebey Avenue GRA in Benin City.
Odubu was Adams Oshiomhole’s deputy between 2012 and 2016.
As of the time of demolition, the property was being occupied by Mr Odubu’s younger brother.
Thee state government also demolished property belonging to a former secretary to state government and present member representing Owan Federal Constituency, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and that of sports marketer Mike Etemuagbo. They are both associates of former governor Adams Oshiomhole.
In a statement, Odubu described the incident as unfortunate, adding that the matter was already before the court of law after the government announced the revocation of the certificate of occupancy which he said he read in a newspaper publication.
“The information came to me this afternoon, March 23, that my property situated at Dennis Osadebe avenue has been brought down by agents of the government on the directive of the governor,” Odubu said.
“Before now, my attention was brought to a publication in the Observer newspaper in January that the C of O of my property have been revoked without prior notice given to me.
“I went to court in the matter and I am surprised that after they have been served, the government still went ahead to bring down my house with a bulldozer.
“My younger one was in the house when it was brought down and they did not give them notice nor allowed to remove any of their properties before destroying the place.”
Odubu’s younger brother’s wife Precious Odubu, narrating the incident to reporters, said that around 4pm, policemen came into the compund through another entrance and she approached them to enquire about their mission.
“The way they came in, not through the main gate, I was afraid and asked about their mission and they told me that they want to demolish the house and if there are children in the building they should be brought out.
“Without even waiting for my response, they just brought in their buldozers and started destroying the house without allowing us to remove our properties,” she said.
