…Gov’t launches probe
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government has denied responsibility for the recent demolition of a property in Ikeja allegedly owned by Mr. Ndibe Obi, the younger brother of Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, stating that no agency of the state was involved in the exercise.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) or any other state arm did not carry out the demolition. The rebuttal followed public allegations made by Mr. Peter Obi linking the state government to the incident.
According to Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development who oversees LASBCA, the agency had no hand in the demolition. He described Obi’s claims as unfounded and misleading.
“We find it disturbing that Mr. Peter Obi would make such allegations without verifying the facts. LASBCA was not involved in the demolition of any such property,” the statement read.
The state government further announced that it had directed the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, to initiate a full investigation into the incident through LASBCA, to determine what transpired and whether due process was followed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ndibe Obi, the majority shareholder of Next Foods Ltd, the company that owns the demolished property, has approached the court to challenge the action.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, Chief Emeka Okpoko, SAN, counsel to the company, confirmed that court processes have already begun. He said the legal team has filed multiple applications, including a motion to set aside the judgment under which the demolition was carried out, and another seeking an injunction pending the determination of the substantive matter.
Okpoko explained that the property was acquired in 2011 with the Governor of Lagos State’s consent granted in 2013. According to him, the land, situated in Ikeja GRA, had no ownership disputes until the sudden demolition executed under a court order from a case between Deborah Olonwulogbo and unknown persons.
The senior advocate claimed that the enforcement was based on Form 41, which alleged a debt of N5,700, and authorised seizure of “goods and chattels,” not demolition. He said: “When we checked the document, it became clear that the case was initiated via originating summons seeking possession, not a declaration of title.”
He further alleged that substituted service was dubiously effected by pasting notices in inconspicuous locations, possibly removed afterwards to prevent the company from being aware of the court action. He maintained that Next Foods Ltd was never served any court notice.
“Judgment was delivered in 2024, but enforcement was delayed until June 2025, well beyond the six-month window permitted by law,” Okpoko said. “We have filed our response to show that we are the legitimate owners of the property. We have the Deed of Assignment, Lagos State Governor’s consent, and a valid Certificate of Occupancy obtained in 2011.”
He also questioned the validity of a Federal C of O reportedly issued in 2021 to a separate party, arguing that federal certificates should not override state approvals, particularly within the Ikeja GRA where land matters fall under state jurisdiction.
Okpoko accused the other party of using a federal Certificate of Occupancy dated 2021 and a fresh Lagos C of O dated 2025, after judgment had been delivered in 2024. “These raise serious questions about legality and due process,” he said.
The lawyer expressed optimism that the court would reverse the action once both sides are fully heard. “We have consistently paid our annual returns to the Lagos State Government. We have evidence of compliance and intend to annex these in court,” he added.
