Okpebholo Approves N914m Payout To Tony Kabaka For Demolished Hotel

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the payment of ₦914 million to Tony Adun, popularly known as Tony Kabaka, as compensation for the demolition of his hotel in Benin City.

The announcement came on Friday after the State Executive Council meeting.

The hotel, T. Latifah Hotel and Suites, located in the Ugbor axis of Benin, was pulled down on February 5, 2020, during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. Authorities at the time claimed the property stood on land belonging to a public primary school.

The demolition sparked controversy as a Benin High Court had earlier ordered the government not to tamper with the facility. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, who presided over the case in 2019 and now serves as Chief Judge of Edo State, had restrained the Obaseki administration from carrying out the demolition. Despite that ruling, the structure was eventually brought down.

Tony Adun challenged the action in court and secured judgment in his favour. The case established that the government acted against the court’s directive, leaving the state legally bound to pay compensation.

The approval for payment, officials explained, reflects the principle that government remains continuous, and new administrations must honour existing judgments. By taking this step, the Okpebholo-led government has accepted responsibility for enforcing the court’s decision and closing a long-standing dispute.

Earlier this year, during the Democracy Day celebration in Benin, Adun revealed that the governor and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, had promised not only compensation but also the rebuilding of the demolished hotel. He described the pledge as a personal turning point after years of battling the case.

The payout marks the end of a five-year legal and political battle between Adun and the Edo State government. For many residents, it revives debate over the demolition carried out in 2020 and the larger issue of how government handles disputes with private property owners.

With the approval now in place, the compensation process is expected to begin, bringing closure to one of Edo State’s most controversial land and property disputes in recent years.