Saraki kicks as Kwara carries out total demolition of ‘Ile Arugbo’

The political home of the late Olusola Saraki, a former senator, has been completely demolished by the Kwara state government.

Parts of the property, known as ‘Ile Arugbo’, were demolished in January last year after the land was revoked by the state government.

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Kwara governor, had said the land which was originally designated for the construction of a secretariat and parking lot of the civil service clinic, was illegally allocated to Asa Investment Limited, managers of the structure.

Asa Investment is a company said to be owned by the late Saraki.

Bukola Saraki, former senate president, challenged the action of the state government but eventually lost when the case was reportedly struck out by a high court on Tuesday.

Thereafter, the remainder of the structure was torn down by bulldozers in the early hours of Wednesday.

In a statement, Akin Onigbinde, counsel to Asa Investments, said the “illegal” action by the Kwara government will be challenged in court.

According to him, the matter is still pending in court and March 27 has been fixed to hear a counter-claim filed by the Kwara government.

“Less than 24 hours after the court fixed March 27, 2021 for hearing of the counterclaim filed by the Kwara State Government, the government ordered bull-dozers to go on to the property about 2.25am and 4.20am on February 3, 2021, to further demolish structure and materials on it,” he said.

“This action taken in the dead of the night will be challenged appropriately.

“We will not allow a government which should symbolise democracy and rule of law to be the one acting with impunity or seeking to subvert the course of justice.”