Oyo Commission of Inquiry on demolition begins sitting Aug.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi to investigate the complaints and grievances arising from demolition of buildings on grounds of Environmental and Town Planning Regulations’ contraventions in the state between May 29, 2011 till date will commence public sittings on August 28, 2014.
Consequently, the commission, which will be sitting at the House of Chiefs, Parliament, Building, Secretariat, Ibadan at 10.00 am. each day, has requested for the submission of written memoranda by individuals, groups or organizations affected by the demolition.
A statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday by the Secretary to the commission, Mr. Waheed Ajuwon, said anybody wishing to submit memorandum should produce 12 copies of such memorandum and submit to the office of the Commission’s Secretary, Room 64, Office of the Governor, Secretariat, Ibadan between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.
According to the statement, all memoranda are to be submitted within the next seven days, adding that such memoranda should be accompanied by relevant documents, including approved building plan, photograph(s) of such buildings(s), and proof of ownership of the affected property.
It also stated that any other person wishing to give oral evidence could also appear
personally at the public sittings.
It would be recalled that the commission of inquiry, under the
Chairmanship of Justice Okanola Akintunde Boade (rtd.), was constituted on Monday, August 11, 2014.
The commission was charged with the responsibility of
· receiving complaints of irregular demolition of properties on the grounds of Environmental and Town Planning Regulations contraventions;
· determining the genuineness or otherwise of claims by complainants;
· recommending to the government the commensurate compensations to the complainants with genuine claims;
· advising the Government on the remote and immediate causes of contraventions and demolitions; and
· investigating any public officer and/or person(s) responsible for allocation of premises and/or irregular demolition and recommend appropriate punishments
for them.
