The Kaduna State government has made clear the motive for the demolition of Asher Kings and Queens Restaurant – the outfit rumored to be the venue of an aborted sex party in the state.

The Director-General of the Kaduna State Urban Development and Planning Authority (KASUPDA), Ismail Umar-Dikko, made the explanation on Tuesday at a press conference in the state.

It revealed that apart from violating COVID-19 protocols, the building located in Sabon Tasha area of Chikun Local Government had no valid title or development permit.

Umar-Dikko added that the illegal status of the building became a very separate matter from the trigger event, the third-party elements who had planned and advertised an unlawful gathering purportedly at the restaurant.

He stated that by virtue of various land administration and development control initiatives conceived and implemented in the last five years, there was no excuse for anyone in Kaduna State to remain without a valid title to their property and permits for any development thereon.

“Since 26th March 2020, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Partial Lockdown Order, 2020 have been in force in Kaduna State. Although some of the regulations were significantly relaxed in June 2020, they were tightened again in December 2020 in response to the second wave of Covid-19 infections.

“Indications that an activity in violation of the Covid regulations was planned to be held in Asher Lounge drew attention to the property and made it necessary to examine the status of the building.

“Checks of government records showed that the building housing Asher Lounge has neither a valid title nor development permit.

“Once due diligence revealed the illegal status of the building, there was need for enforcement action without the notification requirements that the law compels for holders of valid title and development permits.

“The illegal status of the building became a very separate matter from the trigger event: the third-party elements who had planned and advertised an unlawful gathering on those premises.”

Meanwhile, the owner of the demolished building, Mrs Yakubu said she was not given any prior notice by KASUPDA before the demolition of her restaurant, and therefore asked the Kaduna State government to compensate her.