A constitutional lawyer, Daniel A. Noah Osa-Ogbegie has condemned the massive destruction of properties which is the reasons for imposition of 24-hours curfew in certain axis of Benin that started 12.00am Thursday, 29 September, 2022 to 12am Friday, 30 September, 2022.
According to a statement by Ogbegie, Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State had claimed that the imposition of 24-hours curfew was necessary for security reasons, but to his surprise the  curfew was imposed so that the government can demolish the properties of innocent purchasers of properties allegedly because they were built on Government land.
Recall that the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, in a statement on Wednesday, announced the imposition of curfew in some axis of the state, which he claimed was to make way for the conduct of security exercise in the affected areas
Following the demolition of properties amidst curfew, Ogbegie accused the Governor of lying and deceiving the people.
Read Full Statement Below:
Edo State Government announced a declaration of 24 hours curfew in a certain axis of Benin for, according to them, security reasons.
Many of us didn’t believe the reason. We were proved right when we started seeing videos of massive demolition of prime properties around that axis.How can a Government lie and deceive the people like this? How can they reduce Government to this level? How do they build trust with the people and get their confidence?
People were prevented from going to work, school and carrying on their legitimate businesses because Godwin Obaseki wanted to demolish property of innocent purchasers of lands allegedly because they were built on Government land.
The same Obaseki was all sanctimonious about two weeks ago when some palace Chiefs were accused of demolishing some illegal structures on the land of the Oba .He pretended to be on the side of the people, but he’s doing even worse now. Bad character can not be hidden for too long.
A Governor is subject to laws, not above the law. A resort to self help has been held in a plethora of cases to be illegal, ultra vires and therefore subject to payment of damages.
My heart goes out to all those their houses were demolished by the ematon Governor, but what really pains me is that Obaseki has been going around Edo South, grabbing communal lands on behalf of his friends, Nigerians and Chinese.
Governorship is not forever. A time will come when books will be opened and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Daniel A. Noah Osa-Ogbegie
