By Ayo Kehinde
The Lagos State Government has ordered an investigation into the controversial demolition of a property owned by the brother of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Obi had accused the state government of being complicit in the demolition exercise. Obi had alleged that a property
Emphasising that the property, owned by his brother’s company, had stood for over 15 years before it was brought down, Obi alleged that the demolition was carried out by unidentified persons acting on a vague court judgement that did not mention his brother, the property, or contain any demolition order.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, denied the involvement of the State Government in the demolition.
“The Lagos State Government is compelled to address the recent allegations made by Mr Peter Obi regarding the demolition of a property belonging to his brother. We wish to categorically state that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) or any other arm of the Lagos State Government did not carry out the said demolition”, the commissioner said.
According to Omotoso, Dr Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, Special Adviser on eGIS & Urban Development, who oversees LASBCA, also confirmed that the agency was not involved in the demolition.
He expressed concern that such claims were made without proper fact-checking, especially at a sensitive political time, ahead of local government elections.
Omotoso reaffirmed the government’s commitment to due process, saying, “We will not tolerate any acts of lawlessness or violations of extant laws. Any individual or group found involved in such acts will be brought to justice.”
To clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, Omotoso said the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki had been directed to initiate a full investigation through LASBCA.
“To get to the root of the matter, the state government has directed Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, FNIA, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, to oversee a comprehensive investigation by LASBCA into the circumstances surrounding the demolition. The investigation will help clarify what truly happened and ensure appropriate actions are taken.
“The Lagos State Government welcomes everyone to live and work in the state, and we assure all residents of our continued commitment to their safety and well-being.”
