Lagos govt denies demolishing property linked to Peter Obi’s brother

The Lagos State Government has denied allegations by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that it demolished a property belonging to his brother in the Ikeja area of the state.

Discovererngr.com reports that Obi, who visited the site on Tuesday, described the act as politically motivated and a clear example of the lawlessness that discourages investors from considering Nigeria as a safe business destination. The former Anambra governor lamented the growing disregard for civil rights and called for accountability, noting that if such actions could happen to someone with legal ownership, ordinary citizens are at greater risk.

However, in a swift response, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, stated that no state agency, including the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) was involved in the said demolition. He stressed that the government was unaware of the incident until it was brought to public attention.

“The Lagos State Building Control Agency or any other arm of the Lagos State Government did not carry out the said demolition,” Omotosho said in an official statement.

While distancing the government from the demolition, Omotosho assured that a full investigation would be launched to determine the facts and identify any private individuals or entities behind the incident.

“As part of our commitment to the rule of law, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, has been directed to request a full investigation by LASBCA. Anyone found responsible will be held accountable.”

He added that the government remains committed to the safety and well-being of all residents and would not tolerate any act of lawlessness.

“We urge the public to disregard Mr. Peter Obi’s claims and rest assured that the Lagos State Government will continue to maintain law and order. We welcome everyone to live and work in our state, and we remain committed to creating an environment governed by justice and fairness,” the statement concluded.