Lagos addresses controversy over Chioma Ikokwu’s demolished property
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has addressed the controversy surrounding reality star Chioma Ikokwu‘s demolished property in Lekki, Lagos.
The Real House Wives of Lagos (RHOL) reality TV star had claimed that LASBCA officials denied her access to her demolished property and used policemen to intimidate her.
According to Chioma, LASBCA served her a notice to evacuate the premises where she runs her hair business and restaurant.
She alleged that while she and her team were still moving what remained of her property after demolition, the officials denied her access to her belongings.
In a statement, Adu Adegoke, the LASBCA assistant director of public affairs, explained that the properties in question were illegal structures attached to a building.
The agency stated that the property owner was served the necessary notices, including a “convention,” “seal-off,” and “quit” notice.
The statement quoted Gbolahan Oki, the LASBCA general manager, as saying that the agency “followed all due processes in handling the situation”.
Oki said the occupants were instructed to remove the attachments “lawfully, but they failed to obtain the required Demolition Permit, which is a violation of the Lagos State Building Codes and Regulations”.
He alleged that while LASBCA officials were attempting to enforce the law, the owners harassed and obstructed them.
Oki argued that the video circulating on social media, which appears to show Chioma being denied access to her property, aims to “mislead the public and garner undue sympathy for individuals who have continued to violate building and environmental regulations”.
He reassured the public that LASBCA would not be deterred by attempts to distort facts or manipulate public perception.
The attention of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has been drawn to a misleading video circulating online regarding the removal of an illegal attachment to a building by their owners at pic.twitter.com/QgnjhoJoVl
—Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) (@LasbcaA) January 3, 2025
Read the full statement below:
The attention of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has been drawn to a misleading video circulating online regarding the removal of an illegal attachment to a building by their owners at 1A Olubunmi Owa Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa, Lagos.
In line with the Lagos State Government’s commitment to urban regeneration, sustainable development, and the elimination of environmental and security nuisance, LASBCA instructed the owner of the illegal attachment to remove it after multiple notices ranging from Convention, Seal-off and Quit Notices had been duly served on the occupants.
Reacting to the viral video, LASBCA General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, clarified 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 exercise of the area, 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 shows 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.”
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.
The LASBCA boss implored the public to disregard the misleading video and support the government’s efforts towards a cleaner, safer, and more organized Lagos.”
