Staffs of the university of Benin, benin city took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the alleged demolition of their residential quarters by the state government.
The staffs, numbering 25, alleged that demolition was carried out Monday evening on orders of the state governor, Comr Adams Oshiomole without prior notice.
They also accused the Edo state government of disrespecting the rule of law on a court case over the disputed properties located on Edo Osagie at the General residential area in benin which they said was pending in court.
It was learnt that no fewer than 18 resident apartment including that of the former vice chancellor, Prof Osayuki Oshodin were demolised.
It was gathered that the 16 bungalows were given to the university of benin by a former military governor of the old bender state, Dr samuel Ogbemudia, sequel to the establishment of the institution then known as Midwest institute of technology.
It explained in a statement signed by the state chairman Mr Anthony Monye Emima that the university had filed an appeal on Dec 17th against a court judgement on the disputed properties of land which was occupied by some of its members.
" for the information of the public, the university of benin was in court over landed properties in GRA benin city, and judgement was delivered on the 16th of Dec 2014".
The university of benin promptly filed an appeal against the judgment of the high court and appealed for a stay of execution on Wednesday 17th Dec 2014, which has been scheduled for determination sometime in jan 2015.
But Monye Emma accused governor Oshiomole of taking laws into his hand too far by ordering the demolition when the university secured a stay of execution order on the case, which could have been heard in court this month.
"The university took a stay of execution order. Two days after the court ruling, they sent thugs to forcefully eject one of our members and beat him and his family up".
"Oshiomole personally led thugs, not even Edo state officials to those properties and pulled them down with the occupants and their properties in the building, he said".
The ASUU state chairman who argued that the said properties had earlier been given by the former military governor of state, also lamented that the state government has rendered the affected staffs homeless.
"He Oshiomole wants to take back those properties. We feel that he is taking the law to far, that is why we are on the street to let the world know about the threat to life and property that is been perpetrated by supposedly the chief security officer of the state, he said".
Hmm.....to me this is pure wickedness, he should have at least given them a notice before destroying the buidings...." there is life after holding high positions" always remember...
