Ex-Federal Lawmaker Mashood Mustapha Arraigned for Defamation After Criticising Kwara Governor Over Property Demolition
A former federal lawmaker and prominent political figure in Kwara State, Hon. Mashood Mustapha, made his first appearance in court on Monday, following a defamation suit filed against him by the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The legal action stems from comments made by Mustapha following the state government's demolition of his property.
Mustapha had publicly criticised the governor for what he described as the “arbitrary and vindictive” demolition of his building, which housed several tenants.
The demolition reportedly occurred just three hours after the tenants received a notice of vacation — a move Mustapha condemned as high-handed and unlawful.
Mustapha, who holds the esteemed traditional title of Wakilin of Ilorin Emirate, was represented by a legal team headed by Prof. Kayode Olatoke.
The other members of his legal team include Mr Emeka Etiaba, SAN; Mr Jimoh Adebimpe Abdulmumini, SAN; Mr George Ibrahim, SAN; Mr Lanre Abdul, ESQ; and Sadiq Abdulbaki, ESQ.
On the other hand, Mr Bolakale Mustapha, who was charged for releasing and uploading Mashood Mustapha’s video reaction to the demolition of his property by the Kwara State Government, was represented by Mr Moses Ebute, SAN; Mr Tafa Ahmed, ESQ; and Mr David James, ESQ.
On October 6, 2024, the Kwara State Government sealed off the roads leading to Crystal Place, a thriving commercial hub owned by Mustapha, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and deployed bulldozers to completely demolish the property after a three-hour notice was reportedly given to the tenants.
In reaction to the demolition of his multi-billion-naira property which according to him was built after obtaining all the necessary approvals from the Kwara State Government, Mustapha alleged in a video uploaded on the night of the demolition that the government was out to destroy all his investments in the state owing to the political differences between him and Governor AbdulRazaq.
Subsequently, the state government filed a defamation suit against him at the Kwara State High Court.
After hearing initial arguments from both sides, Justice Abdulgafar granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5 million each, with one surety in like sum.
However, both men met their bail conditions and were released without incident.
The case has been adjourned to July 18, 2025, for further proceedings.
In May 2024, the Kwara State government, through its Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, issued a statement refuting reports that claimed the government was planning to demolish a building belonging to Mustapha on Ahmadu Bello Way.
Ajakaye clarified that the ongoing marking of structures along the road was standard practice to ensure adherence to building setbacks.
The statement said, "The KW-GIS (Kwara Geographic Information Service) is identifying areas that encroach on government-designated setbacks as rehabilitation work begins on Ahmadu Bello Way.
"While a portion of the fence and adjoining kiosks on the MM complex do go beyond the approved building footprint, the main building itself is not under threat of demolition. The focus is on ensuring all structures comply with setback regulations, a process applied consistently on Unity Road, University of Ilorin Road, and other areas undergoing development.
“However, the KWGIS is only concerned with the fence and the adjoining kiosks that offend the setbacks on the two roads. No more, no less. The schematic diagram was too clear to be interpreted in light of ambiguity.”
Ajakaye said the lines marked in red in the drawing showed the land area occupied by the building owned by Mustapha.
He said, "Anything outside of that red line is outside of the C of O approved for the structure. Everything to the right of the red line is the government setback. That is where the fence and the kiosks are. It is what has been marked to give way for the road project. And this affects everyone else whose structure encroaches on the setbacks.”
"It is pertinent to note that from Greater Kwara’s findings: The area of land grabbed is about 550sqm and even the main building is outside the approved land allocated and clearly on the setback," he said.
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