Ikorodu Local Government is poised for a showdown with the Ayangbure of Ikorodu over the construction of the King’s Library and Youth Development Centre at the old maternity ground, Ita-Elewa, Ikorodu – a project under the supervision of the Ayangbure’s Palace and sponsored by Oba Shotobi’s godfather, Dr. Robert Brown, an American billionaire.
During Oriwu Sun’s investigation on Tuesday, August 22, 2016, it was revealed that when the Local Government got wind of the construction taking place at the site, it quickly dispatched some officials to the scene. When they requested to know the person who authorized the site workers to start the construction, they were allegedly informed that the order came from the Ayangbure Palace. However, since the statement could not really be verified, the council officials were reported to have stopped further construction and seized all equipment, which were taken to the council’s premises. It would be recalled that the project was initially slated to be built at the Lagos State Polytechnic permanent site, Ikorodu.
According to a source, the seized equipment were later released after some consultations, and on Wednesday, August 23, 2016, the workers went back to continue the construction. However, the council, through its officials, sent the workers away once again and seized their equipment. A report says during the same day this happened, the council’s Sole Administrator, Mr. Gbolahan Ogunleye, was in a meeting with Governor Ambode along with other sole administrators. When he informed the Governor about the incidence, the Governor was reported to have directed him to take necessary action as the sole administrator of the council.
It was also gathered that Mr. Ogunleye had kicked against the incursion into the land without due authorization from the council. He also dismissed the allegation that the previous administration granted a request from the palace to use the land, stating that such request would have been discussed at the level of the council’s management.
On August 23, 2016, the council was alleged to have sent the Lagos State Building and Control Agency (LASACA) to mark the fence under construction by the palace for demolition. When Oriwu Sun visited the controversial land on Thursday, September 8, 2016, the construction work had stopped and the fence being constructed had been demolished. Over one hundred blocks procured for construction work were seen neatly packed at one corner of the land.
There were also two sign posts erected on the land bearing conflicting messages by Ikorodu Local Government and the Ayangbure-in-Council. While the one erected by the council reads: “This land belongs to Ikorodu Local Government. Trespassing is prohibited as the property is reserved for identified public use,” the other reads: “This land is hereby acquired by Ayangbure-in-Council for public use.” Meanwhile, in his brief reaction to the text message sent to his phone by Oriwu Sun requesting his reaction on the matter, Oba Shotobi, through his personal assistant, Prince Ademola told Oriwu Sun that the monarch did not want to say anything on the issue yet. He, however, revealed that the palace had acquired the vacant land for the construction of another project that would be of immense benefit to the people of Ikorodu and not for the construction of the proposed King’s library as being speculated.
Speaking with Oriwu Sun in a brief telephone interview recently, the Ikorodu sole administrator, Mr. Gbolahan Ogunleye, admitted that the issue was being resolved and that he would not say anything further about it for now. It would be recalled that the old maternity ground had been a seat of controversy since 2013, when it was contracted to a company, Future Pride Consortium, owned by a business man, Pastor Joe Ighalo by Hon. Anipole’s Administration. The contractor ought to have built an ultra-modern car park and recreational centre but stiff opposition from some people in the community did not allow the project to commence in spite of favourable intervention on behalf of the contractor by the late monarch, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, after the contractor had paid millions of naira to chairman, councilors and staffers of the council as mobilization.
Meanwhile, the matter is being handled by the Ministry of Justice, who will brief the governor on the matter.