Unveiling the lies of Kwara State Government: Mashood Mustapha’s Crystal Place was approved for Commercial Purposes, not car park

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 light of this, it is expedient that we set the records straight and unveil the lies of the Kwara State government on the intended purpose of the 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 youth 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 land.

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 13th May 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 18th May 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, 5th October 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 an effort 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 operatives to barricade the roads leading to Crystal Place for a smooth demolition. If such energy and 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 has contributed immensely to the development of Kwara State both while in office as an Honourable Member of the House of Representatives representing the good people of Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, and even after the expiration of his tenure. His contributions 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 destruction as an act of God. The current situation will not deter Hon. MM from contributing his quota to the development of his fatherland.

E-Signed:

Dr. Opeyemi Aregbesola
(Head of Media and Public Relations to Hon. MM)