Home buyers cautioned on unauthorised  developers, agents 

Home buyers have been warned to beware of unauthorised real estate developers and agents claiming to be representing the Lagos State Government.

The call was made by the Lagos State Government to prospective home buyers to beware of a real estate developer, HouseHeight Developers who claimed to be agent of the state authority.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing, Lagos State Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola, at a management meeting, used the medium to bring the activities of a real estate developer,  HouseHeight Limited, to the attention of the members of the public and advised  prospective home owners particularly in Diaspora to refrain from transacting any business with the firm and their agents on any matter relating to Harmony Court along Command Road, Ipaja, Ayobo – Ipaja LCDA, Lagos State.

Toriola pointed that  the Managing Director of House Heights Limited, Mrs. Ngozi Elizabeth Ola – David popularly known as Ngozi Elizabeth Phil-Ebosie is not an agent or partner of Lagos State Government and has not been appointed to deal on behalf of the state government in respect to any three-bedroom apartment located at Harmony Estate.

“Any claim by anyone that he or she is an   appointed  agent by the ministry is false and should be disregarded”, he affirmed.

He further revealed that the  erstwhile partnership between the state government and House Heights Limited had been terminated for non – performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contractual agreement.

Toriola then advised the members of the public particularly those in diaspora to disregard the claims of ownership by HouseHeight, saying  “anyone who deals with the firm or its  agents or buys home from her  in violation of this notice does so at his or her own risk.”

The Director of Legal Services, Ministry of Housing Lagos State , Mrs. Bukade Idowu – Koya further  advised that anyone interested in the homes to contact the office of the Permanent Secretary.

On possibility of getting her contact and response,Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Housing, Adeola Salako, further explained that the managing director of the company had been in hiding and apparently changed her phone number.

“You will recall that the EFCC came for her during a site inspection by our officers sometime in June 2021. She has been in hiding since then. I understand she›s not in the country,” she said

She explained that there was a breach of development agreement between House Height Limited and Lagos State Government..

“Agreement was executed in 2010 for the construction of 296 flats with a construction period of 36 months. As at 2022 when the agreement was terminated, only 48 flats had been built at carcass stage.

“The company owed the project finance institution the sum of N329,000,000.00 which has not been paid till date.

“The finance institution obtained a judgement against the company in respect of the above sum at the High Court of Lagos State.

“The Ministry of Housing commenced a termination process as provided in the development agreement and it was terminated accordingly and the company was notified,” she said

“In spite of the notice of termination, the MD of the company who has been in hiding since 2021 has continued to offer the flats for sale and collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public.

“The ministry has received letters and petitions from the victims who have paid millions of naira to the company. The ministry has noticed that her major targets are people who are in diaspora,” she said.