LASBCA refutes allegation of illegal eviction

The Lagos State Building Control Agency has said it does not carry out illegal eviction of occupants in any building found to have violated the state planning laws.

A Tuesday statement noted that General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, while speaking with the press, said LABSCA “operates strictly within the confines of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019.”

The GM said this in reaction to accusations of illegal eviction and demolition threats against it by the tenants at 118, Apapa Road, Ebute-Metta (West).

LASBCA and its agents were recently sued by the tenants. According to the tenants, in their memorandum filed under Order 3 Rule 2 (E) of the Lagos State High Court Rules, police officers were allegedly sent by LASBCA to forcefully eject them without due process.

They said LASBCA served a contravention notice for a distressed structure and a sealing order on December 3 without prior inspection of the property.

But reacting, the GM said, “Last year, the owners of the building in question were served distressed notices where they were instructed to conduct a Non-Destructive Test to ascertain the structural stability of the building which they failed to conduct, citing that the building had been leased to a developer

“The notice issued to the property owners was a result of an inspection carried out by a team of LASBCA officials that revealed serious structural deficiencies, posing an imminent danger to occupants and the general public.

“All actions taken, including the issuance of contravention notices, sealing orders, and demolition notices, follow a rigorous due process, thorough inspections, and safety assessments,” he stated.

LASBCA said it remained committed to respecting judicial processes and complying with all lawful directives.

“Any claims suggesting otherwise are misleading and unfounded,” it said.