The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has mounted a robust defense of the recent demolition operations at the Trade Fair Complex, asserting that all actions executed by the state government were lawful and adhered to established due process.
The commissioner’s statement represents a direct response to condemnation from Senator Victor Umeh, who on Monday branded the demolition exercise as illegal and operating “beyond the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Government.”
Senator Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District, declared during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief that the Trade Fair Complex constitutes federal property under the management of the Federal Government through the Trade Fair Management Board, thereby placing it outside the administrative reach of Lagos State authorities.
“The country is governed by laws and the constitution. I’m disappointed that the Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State came on air to justify an illegal action,” Umeh stated.
He elaborated: “The Trade Fair Complex is a federal establishment where the Lagos State Government moved in with heavy machinery to destroy people’s properties and investments without justification. Federal lands are managed by federal agencies, not state governments.”
Responding via a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Commissioner Wahab maintained that the Lagos State Government operated strictly within its legal mandate and dismissed suggestions that the demolitions carried political undertones.
“When it comes to Lagos State, every Tom, Dick, and Harry have an opinion,” Wahab remarked.
The commissioner challenged critics by citing similar enforcement actions in other states, asking: “Was it illegal when Gov. Alex Otti removed contraventions in Abia State? Was it also illegal when Gov. Soludo removed contraventions in Anambra?”
“Here in Lagos, every of our actions are backed by the law, and we stand by it all,” Wahab emphasized.
Earlier reports indicated that the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Oluyinka Olumide, had reaffirmed the state’s position, stressing that the demolitions at the commercial complex were undertaken to enforce regulatory compliance and guarantee public safety.
“The Trade Fair Complex had a history of non-compliance with building regulations and refused to cooperate with voluntary regularisation efforts despite several warnings,” Olumide stated.
He added: “This is about ensuring a livable and organised built environment, not targeting anyone personally.”
The conflicting positions between state and federal authorities underscore ongoing jurisdictional disputes regarding the regulation and enforcement powers over federal properties situated within state boundaries.
As the controversy continues, stakeholders await further clarification on the legal framework governing such enforcement actions on federal establishments located in Lagos State.
The Trade Fair Complex remains a significant commercial center in Lagos, hosting thousands of businesses and traders across multiple economic sectors.
