Crystal Place Demolition: Ex-Rep Moshood Mustapha Picks Holes In Kwara Govt’s Rule Violation Arguments

A former member of the House of Representatives, who is also the Wakinlin of Ilorin, Hon Moshood Mustapha, on Monday, reacted to the demolition of his shopping complex by the Kwara State government submitting that he has accepted this ‘as an act of God’.

Recall that the shopping complex in question called ‘Crystal Place’, which was located near the Ministry of Works Roundabout, Ilorin, was demolished on Sunday night.

The Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) had earlier in the day explained reasons for serving owner of the building a demolition notice alleging that the approval rules were violated.

 The agency had also  noted that new findings showed clearly that the owner of the structure grossly violated the approval that was issued by the government on March 22, 2013. 

‘The approval was for the purpose of ‘a commercial car park’ only’, Esv. Sulyman Abdulkareem, who is the Chairman of KW-GIS, submitted in a statement he issued in Ilorin and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com on Sunday. 

Hon Moshood Mustapha has however picked holes in Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem’s arguments submitting that his assertions were not only misleading but also an attempt to whip up sentiment against him.

 The former federal lawmaker in a statement that was issued in Ilorin and made available to Team@orientactualmags.com by his media aide, Dr. Opeyemi Aregbesola insisted that due process was followed in respect of the acquisition of the piece of land in question.

‘Since the news about the 3-hour eviction notice given to the tenants of Hon. Mashood Mustapha’s business complex, Crystal Place, by the Kwara State Government went viral on Saturday, we have been inundated with calls and messages from family, friends, supporters and conscientious Kwarans.

In the light of this, it is expedient that we set the record straight and unveil the lies of the Kwara State government in respect of the intended purpose of the piece of land on which the now-demolished Crystal Place was built. 

The Chairman of Crystal Group, Hon. Mashood Mustapha (MM), being a passionate Kwara-born serial entrepreneur, thought it wise to invest in his state and create employment for the young people while also contributing to the economic development of his dear state. In 2013, he acquired a plot of land along Sulu Gambari Road for COMMERCIAL purposes from the Kwara State Bureau of Lands. He was allotted the plot of land after fulfilling all the requirements for the acquisition of the piece of land in question. 

Hon. MM proceeded to obtain building approval from the Town Planning Development Authority. The now-demolished Crystal Place was built based on the approved Building plan and there was never an encroachment on government setbacks. 

On Monday, May 13, 2024, agents from the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) marked some parts of the building for demolition without any official notice. Despite the presentation of the approved building plan, the fence and adjoining buildings were demolished on Saturday, May 18, 2024. We thought that was all and tenants who own businesses in the business complex went about their affairs smoothly unknown to us that the governor had more plans up his sleeves. 

Sequel to the 3-hour eviction notice which was issued to the tenants of the business complex on Saturday, October 5, 2024, on Sunday the Chairman of KW-GIS issued a statement stating that ‘land allocated for car parks can’t be corner shops’. This statement is not only misleading but also an attempt to whip up sentiment against the owner of the property, Hon. MM, ahead of the demolition. 

At about 9 pm on Sunday, the Kwara State Government mobilized security agents to barricade the roads leading to Crystal Place for a smooth demolition.  If such an energy and such resources could be deployed against a business owner, one would wonder why insecurity is still ravaging the state. 

There is no need to sugar-coat it, this is pure political vendetta. Compulsory acquisition of properties by government is not new; it can be done for overriding public interest but there are processes that should be followed. Evicting a landowner without any consideration for his constitutional rights smacks of political vindictiveness. 

Hon. MM contributed immensely to the development of Kwara State while serving as representative of the good people of Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and even after the expiration of his tenure. His contribution as an illustrious son of Ilorin Emirate earned him the title of Wakilin Ngeri. Such a personality does not deserve to be treated with disdain by the government, but the governor knows best. 

We have taken the demolition as an act of God. The current situation will not deter Hon. MM from contributing his quota to the development of his fatherland’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you