Lagos Govt denies demolition of Peter Obi’s brother’s property
The Lagos state government has denied any involvement in the alleged demolition of a property said to belong to the brother of Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi.
Obi had alleged that a property belonging to his younger brother was demolished in Lagos without legal backing.
He said the property, owned by his brother’s company, had stood for over 15 years before it was brought down.
He alleged that the demolition was carried out by unidentified persons acting on a vague court judgment that did not mention his brother, the property, or contain any demolition order.
He said, “This morning, my youngest brother called me frantically, informing me that a group of people had invaded his company property in Ikeja, Lagos, and were demolishing the building.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the government described Obi’s comments as “unverified and misleading.”
Omotoso stated that the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), or any other agency under the state government, did not carry out the said 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 statement read.
The Special Adviser on eGIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, who oversees LASBCA, also confirmed that the agency had no involvement in the incident.
Omotoso expressed concern that such claims were made without due verification, adding that the state remained committed to law and order.
“We find it disturbing that Mr. Peter Obi would make such allegations without verifying the facts,” he said.
The commissioner assured the public that the state government would not condone any form of lawlessness and that anyone found culpable in illegal demolitions would 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.
