The Lagos State Building Control Agency has denied allegations of illegal evictions and emphasized its adherence to the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, LASBCA’s General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, clarified the agency’s operations while addressing accusations made by tenants at 118, Apapa Road, Ebute-Metta (West).
The tenants had accused LASBCA of orchestrating illegal evictions and issuing demolition threats without following due process.
The accusations, detailed in a memorandum filed under Order 3 Rule 2 (E) of the Lagos State High Court Rules, alleged that LASBCA had deployed police officers to forcibly remove tenants after issuing a contravention notice on December 3 for a distressed structure, along with a sealing order, without conducting an inspection.
Responding to these claims, Oki stated, “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 explained.
The agency reiterated its commitment to judicial procedures and compliance with lawful directives.
LASBCA described claims of improper conduct as “misleading and unfounded,” maintaining that it operates strictly within the confines of the law.
