ABEOKUTA – The Ladi Adebutu Development Organization (LADO) has criticized the Governor Dapo Abiodun and Ogun State Government of undermining court processes and using demolition threat to stiffle oppositions in Ogun state.
Adebutu, in a press release by his media director, Afolabi Orekoya, alleged that the state government, through its Ministry of Finance, threatens to carry out demolition exercise on Ladi Adebutu’s property in Ode Remo in Remo North Local Government Area of the state.
THE ENCOUNTER News reports that, the state government on Monday, said the property was in default of payment of land use and amenities charge valued at N72, 867,004 (seventy two million, eight hundred and sixty-seven thousand, four hundred naira).
The notice of default states that, failure by Adebutu to pay the money within seven days makes the property liable for enforcement.
In a swift reaction, Adebutu said the move ploy was clear misuse of state power to intimidate the opposition particularly, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and a distraction from the APC administration’s failure to deliver good governance to the people.
He said, “We state categorically that these devilries are nothing but ploy by the government to silence and harass the opposition in Ogun State. This latest move is a clear misuse of state power to intimidate the opposition particularly, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and a distraction from the administration’s failure to deliver good governance to the people.
“For the record, the matter of land use and amenity charge on the said property has been before the High Court of Justice, Sagamu since 2018 and currently the subject of two separate suits quoted below:
“1. HCS/275/2018 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, coming up on October 8, 2025.
“2. HCS/409/2024 – Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu vs. Land Use and Amenities Charge Committee, Ogun State Ministry of Finance, Abeokuta, still pending without a date fixed.
“It is therefore laughable and contemptuous of the judiciary for the government and its agents to attempt to enforce charges that are already being contested in competent courts of law.
“We must remind the public that, by law, the Ministry of Finance cannot unilaterally impose land use charges without proper assessment of the property in line with the Land Use and Amenities Charge laws of Ogun State. In this particular case, the so-called notice was merely posted on the property without due process, hence the ongoing litigation.
“The Ladi Adebutu Development Organization condemns this reckless abuse of power and calls on Governor Abiodun’s government to stop weaponizing government agencies against perceived political opponents. Ogun State would be better served if the same energy was channeled into providing quality governance, infrastructure, and real service to the people.
“We urge the good people of Ogun State to see through this intimidation tactic and remain resolute in the face of tyranny. Democracy cannot thrive where opposition voices are silenced through harassment and illegal enforcement actions.”
