Property owners in Oko Agbon, Iwaya, within the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, have accused a family and state officials of demolishing part of their building despite an unresolved land dispute.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, one of the landlords, Mr. Olufemi Akali, claimed that state agency officials carried out the demolition on Thursday, even though the ownership issue had yet to be settled. Akali identified the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as the agencies involved.
He alleged that the demolition was connected to a longstanding dispute with the Rufai family, who, after his father’s death, began efforts to reclaim and resell the property despite an earlier purchase agreement. Akali said the case had previously been reported to the state’s anti-land-grabbing agency and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, where his family presented documents to support their ownership claims. He said, “The Rufai family alleged we were the land grabbers, but after reviewing the evidence, the case was dismissed.”
Akali further stated that ministry officials visited the property after a developer sought approval to develop the land. According to him, his family submitted title documents and awaited feedback, but on June 18, individuals allegedly came to the property to take photographs and videos. “When we questioned their purpose, they became confrontational,” he said. Akali added that the visitors were taken to Sabo Police Station in Yaba, where they allegedly threatened to return and demolish structures on the property.
The family later received a 24-hour removal notice dated June 17 from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the demolition was carried out the following day.
The Chief Security Officer of Ogayemi Close, Nigeria Gate Estate, Mr. Rotimi Karounwi, also recounted that officials arrived around 2 p.m. on Thursday with armed police and allegedly forced their way into the premises. “They harassed my security guard and entered without explaining their mission. Shortly after, they began demolishing the building while residents watched helplessly,” Karounwi said. He noted that pleas from residents and bystanders to stop the demolition were ignored, and the exercise lasted less than 30 minutes before the team left. The officials reportedly claimed they were acting on higher authority.
Prophet Olanrewaju Olaiya, Shepherd-in-Charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Olaiya Bethel Parish in Oko Agbon, said he was away when he received a call that the building was being demolished. “I arrived and found about 14 officials and armed police. We managed to salvage some items before they broke down the walls and destroyed major parts of the church,” he said.
Olaiya described the demolition as shocking and devastating, stating that church activities had been severely disrupted. “Since the demolition, we have not held any worship service. Many members have been displaced, and it has affected us both spiritually and mentally,” he said. The cleric further alleged that vested interests and suspected land grabbers may have influenced the state agencies’ actions, urging the Lagos State Government to investigate.
However, Mr. Garba Babalola, solicitor to the Rufai family, rejected the accusations. He maintained that the Akali family was tenants, not owners, and that the property was never sold to their late father. According to Babalola, the Akali family’s father was allowed to occupy the land decades ago, paying rent in instalments, but there was no sale agreement. He added that the property has registered title documents and a Certificate of Occupancy in the Rufai family’s name.
Babalola said the family was surprised when the Akali children began claiming ownership, insisting that the land rightfully belongs to the Rufai family.
When contacted, Mrs. Titi Oshodi, spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, denied any involvement by ministry officials in the demolition. “We do not get involved with land grabbers. The officials who carried out the demolition were not from our ministry. They could have been from LASBCA or the Urban Development Department,” she said.
