Ogun Govt Silent in Court as Gbenga Daniel Defends Properties with Building Approvals

Legal drama unfolded in Sagamu this Monday as Senator Gbenga Daniel, the former Ogun State Governor, defended the legitimacy of his properties against demolition threats from the Ogun State Government. The court cases, prominently suit number HCS/371/2025, concern Daniel’s properties—the Asoludero Court and Conference Hotel—which were served demolition notices in August 2025 for alleged violations of the 2022 Urban Planning Law.

In a swift move, Daniel’s legal team, headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria A.M. Kotoye (SAN), presented certified building approvals proving these structures were legally erected years before the controversial law took effect. Kotoye accused the Ogun government’s lawyers of deliberately stalling proceedings by failing to respond despite having ample time and documentation. The government’s defense, citing the recent death of a senior lawyer, was rejected by the presiding judge, who expressed displeasure at the excuses and saw it as a lack of readiness for resolution.

The court consequently extended the interim injunction shielding Daniel’s properties from demolition until January 14, 2026. This extension was granted alongside expected hearings for related cases (HCS/372 and HCS/374), all pending comprehensive adjudication.

This legal confrontation follows the 2023 demolition of DATKEM Plaza, a property owned by Daniel’s wife, an event widely viewed as politically charged. Many critics argue the ongoing demolition threats and legal maneuvers are attempts to undermine Daniel’s stature and influence ahead of the 2027 senatorial elections, where he remains a formidable candidate.

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The Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority’s actions, relying on the 2022 Urban Planning Law to target properties built long before its enactment, have drawn widespread condemnation as politically motivated and procedurally dubious. Daniel’s team highlights that the properties have valid Certificates of Occupancy dating back to 2005 and 2010, reinforcing their lawful status.

This case spotlights the intersection of politics, law, and urban development in Ogun State, raising serious questions about rule of law, fair governance, and political justice in the region.