By our Reporter
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has dismissed claims made by Chioma Ikokwu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goodhair, accusing the agency of attempting to steal from her during the demolition of an office space in Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa area of the state.
In an Instagram post, Ikokwu revealed that officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency arrived on Friday to demolish the premises housing her hair business and restaurant in Lekki.
She alleged that while she and her team were still evacuating their belongings, the officials ordered them to leave immediately so the demolition could proceed.
Ikokwu claimed the officials wanted her staff out of the way to steal building materials from the site.
She also shared videos showing security personnel accompanying the officials allegedly assaulting her staff and attempting to seize her phone as she filmed the incident.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Friday, LASBCA’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa Adegoke, clarified that the removal of an “illegal” attachment at 1A Olubunmi Owa Street was conducted in accordance with Lagos State Building Codes and Regulations.
The agency stated that the property owner had disregarded the law by initiating the demolition of the structure without securing a mandatory demolition permit.
“The Lagos State Government remains committed to urban regeneration, sustainable development, and eliminating environmental and security nuisances. The illegal attachment was removed after multiple notices, including Convention, Seal-off, and Quit Notices, were duly served on the occupants.”
LASBCA also noted that the viral video circulated by Ikokwu misrepresented the facts surrounding the incident.
The agency explained its dedication to enforcing compliance with building regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
Reacting to the viral video, LASBCA General Manager, Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, claimed 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 and Enforcement Exercise of the area was when 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,” he said.
Oki also stated that the video in question showed 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” he added.
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.
However, he implored the public to disregard the video and support the government’s efforts towards a cleaner, safer, and more organised Lagos.
