Lagos Residents Accuse LABSCA Of Unlawful Home Sealing, Call For Government Intervention

Residents and property owners of Victory Estate in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos State, have appealed to the Lagos State Government over alleged unlawful sealing of their homes by officials of the Lagos State Building and Control Agency (LABSCA).

In a petition filed on their behalf by their solicitor, Felix Akinnisola Olubodun & Co., the affected landlords claim that on December 3, 2024, they returned home to find their properties sealed by LABSCA. The petition reveals that between October 4 and 29, 2024, notices were pasted on selected properties, threatening enforcement. The landlords assert they had already begun the process of complying with the government’s directive on building documentation, in line with the amnesty program allowing property owners to regularize permits and other necessary documents.

Despite their ongoing compliance efforts, landlords such as Engr. Mike Abulatan and Mr. Bodunde Adeyinka expressed shock at the sudden action. They reported that their fully completed, tenant-occupied buildings were sealed without prior notice or lawful justification. They allege that LABSCA’s actions targeted specific properties for extortion, describing the enforcement as malicious and discriminatory, given that the state’s amnesty program remains active until December 31, 2024.

Abulatan and Adeyinka further disclosed that the officials instructed them to report to LABSCA’s Oshodi office, a directive they found puzzling since previous interactions with the agency occurred at the Alimosho LGA Secretariat. The landlords questioned why they were being compelled to visit another LGA, further heightening suspicions of irregularities in the enforcement process.

The affected residents accused LABSCA officials of acting as accuser, judge, and enforcer without affording them the opportunity to be heard. They emphasized that the government’s directive on property documentation regularization is intended as a corrective measure, not a punitive or selective one. They appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene, halt the agency’s actions, and investigate the matter to prevent further damage to the government’s reputation.

The petitioners insist that LABSCA’s approach undermines the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government and portrays the Lagos State Government in a negative light. They urged the administration to uphold justice, equity, and fairness by reversing the agency’s wrongful actions and ensuring its officials are held accountable.

The landlords reaffirmed their trust in the government as a beacon of justice and fairness but lamented that LABSCA officials have yet to reverse their actions, maintaining their demand for a meeting at the Oshodi office. They called for a thorough investigation to address the issue and restore public confidence in the administration.