Ambode settles Lekki residents’ illegal construction crisis

PROPERTY owners and landlords of Oladimeji Residents Association, of Jay-Jay Oladimeji Close in Lekki, Lagos State has jointly shown appreciation to the Lagos State government, led by the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, over his timely intervention in the saving of lives and properties of residents from a developer, who had been earlier accused of deliberately flouting the state’s physical planning law.

The residents had been having a running battle over what they termed unlawful construction and threat to life before the state governor intervened and resolved the crisis.

In a commendation letter addressed to the state’s Attorney General, the residents through their lawyer, and Vice Chairman of the Epe branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ademola Koko, said, “We would like to commend the prompt positive efforts of your ministry to the concerns raised in our letter under reference, which led to various agencies under the ministry of physical planning to investigate and confirm beyond our concerns, consequently, which led to the said property being marked and sealed.

“However, it would surprise you to note that a particular retired employee of the ministry of physical planning is the one encouraging the wrongdoer to be bold to disregard the authority of the state government in general and that of your ministry in particular, by taking him through the departments to waive the solemn regulations of the state government, to the detriments of the lives of the citizens.

“Before the consequential actions of the state government, the officers of the ministry of physical planning came to our clients’ street and met with the residents/property owners and confirmed that the building has no approved building plan, violates the extant physical plans of the state, blocking other residents’ entrances and consequently endangering the security of the residents of Jay-Jay Oladimeji Close.”

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It would be recalled that governor Ambode had earlier been asked to wade into the matter when it seems it would escalate into violence through a petition from the law firm of Ademola Abiodun Koko & Co on behalf of Ralph Lewu, Emmanuel Orjiakor, Ade Adeyemi, Seun Omotoba, Tope Oyebanjo, Kayode Idowu, Olumide Akpata, Dayo Adepoju and Hojo Rufus Maduabuchi being the property owners/landlords of Oladimeji Residents Association.

The petition which was copied the Attorney General of Lagos State, General Manager, New Town Development Authority, Lagos State, Commissioner for Physical Planning, Lagos State, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Zone 2 Police Command, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

They had decided according to their counsel, to follow due process, despite the deliberate, provocative and unlawful acts of the wrongs doers and the thugs positioned by the wrongdoer in the community.

“Our clients have decided not to resort to self-help, believing that you will use your good offices to ensure equity, justice and fair play known to be the hallmark of this administration,” they wrote.