The Lagos State Government has denied allegations made by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who accused the state of unlawfully demolishing a property belonging to his brother.
Obi, in a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), had condemned the demolition, accusing the Lagos government of targeting his family without due process or legal justification.
Any society where lawlessness overrides the rule of law is not destined to be a haven for investors. Recent reports showing that Nigeria’s human rights indicators have worsened merely highlight severe shortfalls in government protection for civil liberties, personal security, and… pic.twitter.com/3Dn2UZlPKq
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 24, 2025
The state government, in a statement released on Thursday, said no such demolition was carried out by any of its agencies, including the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
In a swift rebuttal, the state government stated:
“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, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, emphasised that LASBCA’s supervising official, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, confirmed the agency had no involvement in the demolition incident.
Describing Obi’s allegations as “disturbing” and “baseless,” the government stressed its commitment to the rule of law, urban safety, and the protection of all residents. It also warned against public misinformation and acts of lawlessness.
To establish the facts, the government has directed the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, to initiate a thorough investigation through LASBCA into the matter.
“This investigation will help clarify the circumstances surrounding the demolition and ensure that any necessary actions are taken,” the statement added.
CLARIFICATION ON DEMOLITION OF PROPERTY
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… pic.twitter.com/po2z89f40S
— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) June 26, 2025
The government reiterated its openness to all Nigerians and its dedication to ensuring that Lagos remains a safe and law-abiding state for both residents and investors.