Lagos Govt Clarifies Controversy Over Demolition Of Chioma Ikokwu’s Property

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has stated that the demolition of the property of reality TV star, Chioma Ikokwu, in the Lekki area of the state followed due process.

Naija News reports that the former Housemate of Real House Wives of Lagos (RHOL), in a viral video, claimed that LASBCA officials denied her access to her demolished property and used policemen to intimidate her.

Chioma said LASBCA served her a notice to evacuate the premises where she runs her hair business and restaurant.

She noted that while she and her team were still moving some of her property after demolition, the officials denied her access to her belongings.

However, in a statement on Friday, the LASBCA assistant director of public affairs, Adu Adegoke, maintained that the properties were illegal structures attached to a building, noting that Chioma was served the necessary notices, including a convention seal-off and quit notice.

The statement also quoted the LASBCA general manager, Gbolahan Oki, saying that the occupants were instructed to remove the attachments.

Oki said that while LASBCA officials attempted to enforce the law, the property owners harassed and obstructed them.

According to him, the video circulating online, which shows Chioma being denied access to her property, aims to mislead the public and garner undue sympathy for individuals who have continued to violate building and environmental regulations, adding that the agency would not be deterred by attempts to distort facts or manipulate public perception.

The statement read, “The attention of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has been drawn to a misleading video circulating online regarding the removal of an illegal attachment to a building by their owners at 1A Olubunmi Owa Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa, Lagos.

“In line with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to urban regeneration, sustainable development, and the elimination of environmental and security nuisance, LASBCA instructed the owner of the illegal attachment to remove it after multiple notices ranging from Convention, Seal-off and Quit Notices had been duly served on the occupants.

“Reacting to the viral video, LASBCA General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, clarified that the Agency followed all due processes which instructed the occupants to lawfully remove the attachment but the owner proceeded on an illegal removal of the attachment without obtaining Demolition Permit from the Agency an act that disregarded the Lagos State Building Codes and Regulations.

“During LASBCA’s routine monitoring exercise of the area, the illegal demolition of the property carried out by the owner was discovered, and our officials faced resistance from some occupants who had failed to adhere strictly to the State Building Laws.

“Oki also stated that the video in question shows an individual attempting to harass and obstruct LASBCA officials and security personnel who were present to maintain law and order during the exercise.

“It is important to note that the video circulating on social media aims to mislead the public and garner undue sympathy for individuals who have continued to violate Building and Environmental Regulations of the State.

“The General Manager further stated that, in the same video, the author admitted to being served the necessary notices, which undermines the claims made in their narrative and still went ahead to carry out an illegal demolition.

“He also stated that LASBCA remains resolute in its mission to ensure safe, secure, and sustainable urban development across Lagos State, and will not be deterred by attempts to distort facts or manipulate public perception.

“The LASBCA boss implored the public to disregard the misleading video and support the government’s efforts towards a cleaner, safer, and more organized Lagos.”