Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the release of ₦914 million as compensation to APC State Youth Leader, Tony Adun, popularly known as Tony Kabaka, over the demolition of his hotel by the previous administration.
The hotel, T. Latifah Hotel and Suites, located in Benin’s GRA area, was pulled down in February 2020 under former Governor Godwin Obaseki, who claimed it was built on government land.
Edo State Commissioner for Information, Paul Ohonbamu, told journalists on Friday in Benin that the payment was based on a court ruling in Kabaka’s favour.
He explained that the matter was inherited by the current government, stressing that Governor Okpebholo chose to comply with the judgment in line with the rule of law.
Kabaka had earlier gone public on Democracy Day, June 12, 2025, stating that Governor Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, promised to rebuild his hotel as a gift.
The case traces back to October 2019 when the state’s Ministry of Physical Planning issued a demolition notice, insisting the hotel sat on land belonging to a public school. However, a High Court presided over by Justice Daniel Okungbowa (now the State Chief Judge) restrained the government from carrying out the demolition before the structure was eventually brought down.
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