Ekiti govt shuts private radio station linked to Fayose

A private radio station, Our People’s FM 104.1FM , allegedly linked to the former governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose was on Thursday, sealed off by the Ekiti state government  for non- compliance with building  regulation in the state.

The General Manager of the station (GM), Mr. Layi Oyawa, accused the security agencies of ‘slapping’ and manhandling him after they forcefully entered the premises to enforce the closure order .

Staff of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, alongside policemen from the Counter Terrorism Unit, besieged the one -storey twin building located in at Fajuyi area of Ado Ekiti, around 9.38am to paste the notice of closure on the wall.

Blueprint gathered that enforcement staff and the CTU operatives entered the building and ordered the workers, led by Oyawa  out of the premises , which led to a confrontation between the station’s GM and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Mr. Ademiloye Fasiku.

As the argument raged, the policemen ascended the staircase and ordered the staff to switch off the transmitter, claiming that the property has been shut down for contravening building development order.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFCC), had last year confiscated the building alleging that it was fraudulently acquired by the former governor but it was later reopened after the case was taken to court.

Speaking with newsmen, Fasiku said four letter had been written to the station on the need to comply with some laid down regulations, but those pleads were rebuffed.

He said: “We are here basically to enforce compliance with urban development plan of government. We have given those notices but they never responded. We asked them to submit their approved plan for clearance, but nothing was done.

“Application was submitted to the Ministry on 7th September, 2018 by Mr. Olusola Micheal Adeyinka with the Title “Application for Mast Construction” without indication to use the property for radio station.

The GM Of the station, Layi Oyawa, described the alleged gestapo manner with which the station was closed down as unfortunate and brutish.

“They police the staff of the Ministry brought slapped me. They assaulted me and tore by suit, this is uncalled for. They said they wrote notices to us, who did they address it to? From whom did the letter emanate?

“The only letter I got was from the Signage and Advertisement Agency. Why is this coming at this time? However, we are going to address it the legal way”, he said.

Also responding, Fayose, in a statement by his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, said the action was carried out as a prelude to the alleged rigging the APC intended to perpetrate in Saturday and March 2, advising Fayemi to stop acting like tyrant.

“The same Fayemi, who operated an illegal radio during the Abacha days could get to this level of tyranny, is another sad reminder of the hypocrisy of his claim to have fought for democracy. Obviously, he fought for his pocket and personal survival.

“From information made available to the public by the radio station, the government requested for payment of N175 million as Signage Fee, which for all intent and purposes, was ridiculous.

“It is sad that Fayemi chose to take laws into his hands by ordering policemen attached to him to invade a private business premises and close it down without order of any court”, Fayose said.

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