PPF condemns demolition of Nigeria’s Fresh FM radio station

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in a letter to Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria has expressed concern over the demolition on August 19, of the Music House in Ibadan city, which houses the offices of Fresh FM, a radio station owned by music producer Yinka Ayefele. His music studio was also in the same building.

PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali in his letter, condemned this act by the government and urged the authorities to stop suppressing independent media and respect freedom of expression and press freedom.

According to the Institute for Media and Society (IMS), the Oyo state government ignored a court order and sent a bulldozer to demolish the building.

The government had issued a demolition notice to the building owner, stating that the structure was in breach of state physical planning laws and that demolition would be carried out three days after receipt of the notice.

Director of Yinka Ayefele Nigeria Limited, Mr. David Ajiboye told journalists that Ayefele had obtained a court order against the demolition. He further added that all relevant documents were submitted before the construction of building.

The bulldozer demolished a part of the building at around 5:30 am and station went off air around 6:30 am. Supporters of Ayefele staged demonstrations against the government after the demolition.

After the station came back on air from another location, Ayefele asked his followers to remain calm and said that the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun, was responsible for this demolition.