Ibadan explosion leaves lawyer Akintola’s hotel in ruins

The massive explosion that rocked several suburbs of Ibadan, Nigeria’s third most-populous city, on Tuesday night left a hotel owned by a prominent lawyer, Niyi Akintola, SAN, in RUINS.

Niyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said on a WhatsApp platform that his hotel, known as House 40, on Dejo Oyelese Street in Bodija, was reduced to rubble by the blast that also damaged three of his other properties in the area.

He said some of his colleagues in the legal profession, who had enjoyed the hospitality of his modest 24-bed hotel, which included eight suites, three chalets and 13 standard rooms, also had their properties destroyed by the explosion.

They include the late Chief Bola Ige SAN, the late Chief Bandele Aiku SAN, and a hospitality building said to belong to the late Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN.

He wrote, “This is what remains of my modest contributions to hospitality businesses in Ibadaland just after the explosions of last night in  Bodija. It is a posh hotel in a posh area known as ‘House 40” on Dejo Oyelese Street .

“I recalled that some of our colleagues on this platform who had at one time enjoyed the hospitality of the modest 24 beds which include eight suites,  three chalets and 13 standard rooms are Alariwo, Wole Iyamu SAN, H,E. Iyiola Oladokun (whose residence) that shared a fence with my house 40 was completely destroyed.  Other members of the Bar whose properties were destroyed on the street  include the Late Chief Bola Ige SAN,  the late Chief Bandele Aiku SAN, and an hospitality building said to belong to the late Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN.

“My three other properties on Alabiamo Street,  Adeyi Street and Adenuga Street were also slightly damaged with removed roof, removed POP ceilings, sliding doors,  air-conditionals and several electrical applications.  Oh my God, it is terrible. 

“As I write this with my hands trembling,  some guests and three hotel staff are in the hospital but we thank God that no casuality was recorded. What a way to start a new year? I need your prayers please.”