Ogun Govt Issues Seven-Day Quit Notice to 25-Year-Old Ibara GRA Mosque, Threatens Demolition
The Ogun State Government has issued a seven-day quit notice to the management of the Ibara Housing Estate Mosque, located within the Ibara GRA in Abeokuta, directing them to vacate the premises or risk demolition of the structure, which has stood for over 25 years.
The notice, dated November 5, 2025, was signed by the General Manager of the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority. It instructed the mosque community to vacate the building within seven days and warned that the government would not be held responsible for any damages or losses during the demolition exercise.
Worshippers were reportedly shocked when a government official, believed to be from the Planning and Development Permit Authority, served the notice shortly after the Zuhr (noon) prayer. Members of the mosque community expressed disappointment over what they described as a “sudden and unjust” action by the government, citing the mosque’s long-standing presence in the estate.
Part of the notice read:
“Sequel to our Notice of Contravention served on you, you are hereby informed to vacate the property within seven days from the date of service of this notice.
You are advised to remove all valuables within the specified time.
Please note that the Authority will not be liable for any loss suffered by you or claim for compensation whatsoever for any removable property damaged or destroyed during the impending demolition of the development.”
It was, however, alleged that the mosque management had not previously received any contravention notice from the government before this action.
On the same day, another document titled “Notice of Contravention” was also served and signed by the same General Manager. The notice accused the mosque management of converting the property from residential to public use without approval and carrying out development “suspected to be without permit.”
The document directed the mosque committee to submit all necessary planning documents, including the development permit, within 24 hours or restore the property to its original residential use within seven days.
An excerpt from the contravention notice stated:
“It appears that the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022 and the enabling regulations of the State have been contravened in respect thereof.
If you dispute the contraventions, you are requested to bring all documents in support of your case, including your planning permit, to the undersigned within 24 hours of the service of this notice.
If you fail to remove the said contravention(s) within seven days from the date of service of this notice, the said contravention shall be demolished after the service of notice of demolition on you/the property.”
The situation has sparked concern among worshippers and residents of the area, who are calling on the government to reconsider the decision or allow for proper dialogue before taking further action.
