Demolition: There Was A Prior Notice Before Building Demolition In Agege—LG Chairman, Egunjobi

By Kazeem Akande

Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, the Executive Chairman Agege Local Government Lagos in Lagos State has said that there was prior notice given to occupant before building demolition to reclaim council property.

Egunjobi who reacted to recent alleged that the council unlawfully seized and demolished a property belonging to Edwards Ayo-Odugbesan, a former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, and his wife.

According to him, the property, located at 47 Old Ogba Road beside MKO Abiola Market, formerly housed Edwards Private School, was situated on the council land.

Egunjobi in his clarification said that the property was situated on council land, which had been part of the former Abiola Market.

He presented original title documents, including the council’s survey plan and Certificate of Occupancy (CofO), which was originally issued by the Lagos State Government, as evidence.

The council had obtained approval from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) to demolish all structures on the land, including the portion occupied by the school.

According to him, in response to the Ayo-Odugbesans’ claim of possessing a governor’s consent for the land, Egunjobi called for an investigation, stating that such a claim raised serious concerns.

“We wandered how the couple could have been granted consent for land that had already been awarded to the council by the same Lagos State Government.

The government cannot issue a portion of land to two different people that’s why we want to set the record straight and ensure the land ownership.

The property on the wasn’t occupied as at when the demolition was made the school on the land was not an existing on and we gave prior notice before the building demolition.

“We urged the state Commissioner of Police to investigate the matter, suggesting that the couple’s documents might have been obtained fraudulently,” he said.

The council chairman added that the local government have nothing to hide and would make all relevant documents, including the survey plan and C of O, available to the public for verification through the media.

He said that the couple’s claim was based on a fraudulent survey plan and reiterated the council’s lawful actions in demolishing the structures.

Egunjobi however queried any debate over the existence of Edwards Private School on the property.

“The property in question is located on council land at the former MKO Abiola Model Market, which was also demolished.

“The portion occupied by the property rightfully belongs to the council, as evidenced by our survey plan and Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Lagos state government, which predates the documents the couple claims to have.

“If Mr and Mrs Ayo-Odugbesan indeed possesses a governor’s consent for the same land, it suggests that the process they used to obtain it is fraudulent.

“I am calling on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to investigate this claim thoroughly and ensure justice is done,” he said.

Egunjobi added that under normal, circumstances, the couple could not have been granted consent for the land since the state government had long awarded it to the council based on the official survey plan.

“We acted within the law, obtaining the necessary approval from LASPPPA to demolish all structures, including the section occupied by Abiola Market.

“Whether or not a private school existed on the property is irrelevant. The government owns the land, and I will not stand by and allow anyone, regardless of their status, to deprive Agege of its rightful assets.

The newsmen reports that Ayo-Odugbesan and wife Funmi had accused, Agege local government Area, of unlawfully demolishing their building on Old Ogba Road, Abiola Market, Lagos State.

The family, while claiming to have documents validating their ownership of the land, said the demolished property, which had been in existence for no fewer than 30 years, was used as a school for indigent residents of the Agege community.